What do you do when you don’t know what to do?
Wow! How many times do I hear people asking a question like that? It seems to be a daily occurrence.
Or maybe not just like that, but they want to know what to do — and they don’t know what to do. So they ask a question about what to do. (Are you following?)
Unfortunately, knowing the right thing to do is not an exact science. If only I knew every time I’m asked. In fact, if it were, many of us in my profession would either be out of a job—or making a lot of money.
Of course, the first answer is to talk to God, but how many times have you done that and still cannot discern what He is saying. What do you do then—when you don’t know what to do?
Again, I don’t always know. Wish I did. Sometimes I do, but sometimes I simply have some principles I can share.
Here are a few suggestions when you don’t know what to do:
Phone a friend. Someone who knows you well. Isn’t it wonderful how God puts people in our life who can speak into our life? The challenge is often having the courage to ask and then yielding to those voices. Have you been listening to people God has been sending your way?
What would daddy or mama do? What do the morals you were raised with say you should do? If you were raised with good principles go with them. Many times we actually know the right thing to do, but our question is whether we want to do what we know is right.
Do nothing. Don’t be afraid to not make a decision if you don’t have to. Sometimes it’s okay just to be still. In fact, sometimes that’s the best decision.
Follow your gut. If, that is, your gut is good. And it’s very important that your gut be good. But if you are in a good place in life, and you know you are making wise decisions in other situations, then you can often trust the voice within you.
Take a risk. Now may be the time to put all safety concerns aside and go for it. Most risks come with an element of the unknown. You will often have to pull the trigger on moving forward without all the answers to your questions. Don’t be surprised about that. Or afraid to do it. If it is something you feel strongly about, it isn’t sinful, and it doesn’t go against some of these other principles, then GO FOR IT!
Stop worrying. It won’t help. It won’t solve the problem. And it’s probably distracting you from making a good decision.
Walk by faith. Hopefully you have a faith in God. If not, we need to talk. But if you are a believer, then you have access to a power greater than your ability to make a good decision. The Spirit of God lives within you. Take full advantage of that privilege.
Those are just a few suggestions when you don’t know what to do.
Do you have any you would add?
Photo credit; ©GettyImages/Koldunova_Anna
Ron Edmondson pastors Immanuel Baptist Church. Find out more at: http://www.ronedmondson.com/about