08/29/2024
Jean Morrison
Sometimes, we experience partnerships in life that go hand in hand, like coffee and cream or peanut butter and jelly — dynamic duos that bring us joy. But there are also times when life throws us a curveball, leading to a mix of suffering and pain, especially when we walk through a storm or face a spiritual battle.
During these challenging seasons, we must consciously decide how to respond to adverse circumstances, such as testing positive for COVID, losing a job, or grieving a loved one. As followers of Christ, we must choose how we will face these trials: will we respond with prayer and praise, or will we gripe and complain? Will others see us grieve and give up, or will they witness us standing firm in faith, trusting God?
Every day, we make decisions like these. In fact, various media sources report that the average adult makes between 33,000 to 35,000 decisions daily — ranging from simple choices like deciding whether to order pizza for a Friday fun family night to life-altering ones like choosing salvation and accepting God as our Lord and Savior, Shepherd, and Redeemer.
Today’s world is chaotic and noisy, with countless voices vying for our attention. Each day, we must decide whether to spend time with the Lord and seek answers in the Bible or turn to social media, listening to the opinions of the latest TikTok preachers or a mix of Godly and ungodly influencers. We need to remember that our decisions flow from our hearts. Proverbs 4:23 reminds us, “Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.” What we harbor in our hearts will ultimately be expressed in our actions and words, for better or worse.
In the book of Exodus, the Israelites faced a critical decision. After enduring slavery and severe oppression in Egypt, God parted the Red Sea to lead them to the Promised Land of Milk and Honey. Yet, 72 hours after this miraculous deliverance, the Israelites shifted from celebrating their victory to complaining to Moses, their leader, because they found themselves thirsty in a desert without water. In response, Moses turned to God for help.
Exodus 15:25-26 says, “Then Moses cried out to the Lord, and the Lord showed him a piece of wood. He threw it into the water, and the water became fit to drink. There the Lord issued a ruling and instruction for them and put them to the test. He said, ‘If you listen carefully to the Lord your God and do what is right in His eyes, if you pay attention to His commands and keep all His decrees, I will not bring on you any of the diseases I brought on the Egyptians, for I am the Lord, who heals you.’”
Decisions made during times of crisis — whether the Israelites deciding to trust God for water in the desert thousands of years ago or deciding today whether to tithe to your local church during a financial crunch — all stem from what’s in our hearts. For example:
Moral Compass #1: The heart of every problem is the problem in every heart.
The root of our current problems often comes from the sins or flaws in our hearts.
Moral Compass #2: When you know what is right, do what is right.
Understanding what God says is right will help lead to right actions.
Moral Compass #3: Your abundant life comes from leading an obedient life.
A fulfilled life comes from a life lived in obedience to God’s commands.
This week, choose to align one area of your life and your decisions with one of the moral compasses above. When you do, you will receive three benefits from obeying God’s principles and choosing to listen to God above all else, when facing any decision. The benefits are:
1. You will learn to better manage your emotions.
Your emotions will no longer dictate your decisions.
2. You will learn to break down complex decisions.
God’s wisdom will help you simplify and navigate difficult choices.
3. You will be more confident in your decisions.
When your decisions are based on His Word, God will give you greater confidence that they are right.
So, here’s the bottom line: when facing difficult decisions, always turn to God and His Word for guidance. Keep using the powerful duo of prayer and praise as you wait for Him to move on your behalf while making the decision to refrain from grumbling and complaining in any situation.
Remember this: God will never let you down. He loves you and will guide you in every season.
Want to dive deeper? Check out Dr. Dennis Hollinger's message, "Living Faithfully in a Contentious World" below.
