I not-so-affectionately refer to it as our “trifecta.” Several major decisions all converged upon our lives around the same time. Decisions that have interrupted our lives. Decisions that have robbed me of sleep. Decisions that have fostered hours of conversation with my husband, which is a wonderful fringe benefit, by the way!
We seem to have our best talks while walking, and so the past weeks we’ve been up early to beat the tropical heat (it’s now summer here in Thailand, our “hot season”). We’ve walked round and round a nearby housing development… and we’ve gone round and round in our thinking.
Not my favorite place to be.
I’m not a fan of ambiguity. I don’t like it when my secure little world gets rattled. I prefer having all my ducks in a row. ALL the time.
But life’s not like that.
This latest “trifecta” has forced me to reexamine the things I say I believe and hold fast to. It also reminded me that I blogged about this a few years ago (see link below). Gulp! Guess I’m still needing to learn some things about decision making.
God’s Word (aka the Bible) usually doesn’t spell out the answers to our decision-making questions in black and white, but it does give some helpful hints for us to discern what to do. After all, He’s a good Father. The perfect Father. And He wants us, His kids, to grow up. To learn to use our brains and good sense. Our part is to listen, to act in faith — not in ourselves, but in Him.
Trust God from the bottom of your heart; don’t try to figure out everything on your own. Listen for God’s voice in everything you do, everywhere you go; He’s the one who will keep you on track.
Proverbs 3:5-6 (MSG)
“For I know the plans and thoughts that I have for you,” says the Lord, “plans for peace and well-being and not for disaster to give you a future and a hope.”
Jeremiah 29:11 (AMP)
You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in You, all whose thoughts are fixed on You!
Isaiah 26:3 (NLT)
Trust. Don’t try to figure everything out on your own. Listen. Keep your thoughts on God.
Easier said than done!
My default decision-making setting is to try to figure everything out myself. Ask advice of others — sometimes. Stew. Substitute activity/busyness for being quiet. For listening to God. All of which is a recipe for becoming anxious, feeling overwhelmed, being fearful. NOT at all what God promises.
So… where are my husband and I in our current “trifecta”?
We’re intentionally listening a LOT… to each other and to God. We’re seeking advice from others. We’re gathering information so that, at least as far as is humanly possible, we know the facts, the options before us. And ultimately, we’re trusting that God will make things clear. In HIS timing, which often is different from ours. We’re trusting that He, as a good Father, isn’t playing games with us. After all, He sees the big picture and is aware of factors that aren’t even on our radar.
Yep. Sometimes it’s hard to know how to navigate the decisions of life. But may we encourage one another to trust. To not try figuring everything out on our own. To listen to and keep our thoughts on God. And as we do so, may we have joy in the journey of this thing called “Life!”
Joy in the Journey 
Hey Mary, I’m excited to hear what all of this prayerful reconnoitering is leading to! Eager to hear to what and where God is leading you. Praying for you and standing by to hear the next installment 😘 Know I think about you often, Jan
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