Which way do I go? I asked my friend as I drove through an unfamiliar area of town. He answered, straight, I headed straight and drove right through a stop sign and directly into a Honda CRV. After the impact, I looked at my friend and asked him whose fault the accident was. I honestly had no clue that I had run a stop sign. His answer was, do you want me to tell you? That is when I knew it had been my fault.
I am not a confident or aggressive driver. Driving can make me nervous, and driving anywhere new is the worst for me; I hate it. I get so focused on where I am going that I do stupid things like running a stop sign.
A New Path
Navigating a new path in life can be like driving a new area. I get focused on where I am going and begin to wonder: where do I turn, which way do I go, what will it be like up ahead, and am I going the right way? Anxiety, worry, and nervousness come at me. My desire is for confidence in where I am going. I want to know for sure that I am not heading in the wrong direction. I want assurance that the path I am on is the right one.
What I forget is that on the road of life, God is in my passenger seat. As much as I wish he would take the wheel, and drive he prefers the seat beside me. God knows where we are going, which way I need to turn, and what it looks like up ahead. So when I start to doubt that I am going the right way, I ask myself these two questions.
Did I Seek God Before Heading Down this Road?
Before making any decision, we should be praying about it. I think this is rather obvious. But we can be quick to take an opportunity that looks appealing without asking God about it. Just because something sounds like the answer to your prayers does not mean that it is. Praying with an open heart is the key. If God says no, then leave it alone.
Have the mindset that if God does not want it for you, you don’t want it either. Psalm 32:8 states, I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my eye upon you. That is a promise we can cling to. If we allow God to lead, he will. While also keeping a watchful eye of protection on us.
Did I have Peace about Going this Way?
After spending time in prayer and waiting for an answer, I decided to go down this new path. Did I feel at peace about doing so? John 16:13 tells us that the Holy Spirit guides us in all truth. How he does this is through a feeling of peace. If something does not sit well with you, that is probably the Holy Spirit trying to keep you from it. God does not want us feeling lost or confused, which is one of the reasons he gave us the Holy Spirit. That peace will not come if it is the wrong decision.
Watch out for Oncoming Fear and Worry
The devil wants to steal your peace. He wants you to question is God the one putting you on this road. If he can make you doubt, then he can re-route you. Two of his favorite tools are fear and worry. Be careful not to give in to these. They are distractions, and if you get distracted, you could wreck. 2 Timothy 1:7 tells us that God did not give us a spirit of fear but of power and a sound mind, and Jesus said in Matthew 6:34 that we are not to worry about tomorrow. Fear and worry are not of God, and if it is not of God, they should not be taking up space in our minds.
Remember the Peace
When I feel confused about where I am going, I can remember the peace I felt when I first started the trip. This direction may not make sense to anyone around me, and it may be a scary and winding road. But if God put me on this road, then it does not matter what comes my way. I can trust that he is sitting in the front seat, ready to answer the question; which way do I go? To which He replies straight. Continue the course that you started. I will direct you when it is time to turn.
If you are on a path that feels scary and confusing, you can take peace in that truth. God is with you. If you are consulting with him along the way, he will show you where to turn, but for now, head on the course that he set you on. Keep your eyes on the road because fear and worry will try to jump in your path. When they come, stop and remember that God led you, and he is not leaving you.
Referenced Verses:
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm+32%3A8&version=NKJV
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2+Timothy+1%3A7&version=NKJV
.https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+6%3A34&version=NKJV
Jeannie says
such a good reminder to pray specially for discernment.
Tamera-YourChristianBestFriend says
So very true to pray and wait on the Lord before making any moves. Otherwise we end up listening to our flesh and getting lost in sin.