Unhindered By FearSample

FEAR OF MAKING WRONG DECISIONS

Have you ever been driving, following a GPS, and you get to a turnabout and flip your phone upside down to check every angle, trying to figure out which turn you’re supposed to make out of the four options given? Asking for a friend. Through my personal experience in making decisions, I’ve found that life is full of turnabouts.

One time while I was in Australia, I was driving a caravan full of kids and accidentally went the wrong way around a turnabout—meaning I was driving AGAINST traffic. Mind you, it was my first time driving on the opposite side of the road, so not only did I not know which turn to take, I got so disoriented I ended up having to dodge cars driving towards me before I finagled my way out. All the while, the little Aussie children were screaming in the backseat! It was quite an exhilarating experience, and I may have given myself a hernia from all the anxiety it caused, but I eventually found my way.

Sometimes, decisions in life can feel this way. You arrive at a point where you have to choose which way you will go. Sometimes the options are clear; other times, it feels like spinning in circles to find your way. Do you stay and get planted, or go and travel? Do you date the guy/girl or end the relationship? Do you start the business, or wait for another opportunity? The turnabout options are endless, and if we’re not careful, we will find ourselves driving in circles into oncoming traffic and creating a chaotic mess!

The good news is: your life GPS is way better than Google maps. Jesus offers us His Spirit in the form of a companion, a best friend, and a guide. “I will ask the Father and he will give you another Savior, the Holy Spirit of Truth, who will be to you a friend just like me—and he will never leave you” (John 14:16–17, TPT).

We are not alone in making decisions. And I have even better news. Even if you make the wrong turn, He will lead you back to the turnabout and keep guiding you until you’re right where you’re supposed to be. The Holy Spirit never abandons you. His GPS guiding service doesn’t stop working even in remote scary places. I’m telling you, heaven has software that would make Steve Jobs jealous! At times it may feel frustrating like you can’t find clarity in the season of making a decision. And that’s ok. He’s not in a rush, so don’t let those around you set your pace. Move with peace and trust that even when things feel motionless, He’s working behind the scenes to guide you and make the signs so very clear. 

If you miss those signs, He’s sending construction workers to create a detour, and if you’re still that hardheaded, He’s sending an old granny to the crosswalk to direct you with her cane, and if you’re still lost, He’s sending police officers with a private escort to get you back to the turnabout, and finally on to where you’re supposed to be. 

Jesus is all about coming after the one who has strayed away and bringing them back to where they belong! So, don’t be frustrated if you’ve looped that grassy middle garden a couple of times. Take your time. Enjoy the garden from every angle. Turn up the volume on your Holy Spirit GPS. Pump up the worship and get in God's Word. I’m telling you the more you focus on His presence, the route you’re meant to take will become so internally defined in you that you’ll be smacking that indicator blinker without even realizing it and that turn will feel so natural, even a Justin Bieber fan club riot couldn’t phase you. It’s ok. You’re going to be ok. You’re equipped to make good decisions. I’m in it with you, and I have a feeling we’re going to make it. 

Get the [F]ear out of Your Head

Today’s challenge: 

1. Do you often feel indecisive about your future? Do you constantly need affirmation from others to feel confident you made the right choice? Write down the decisions you are feeling uncertain of and begin to pray about them daily. Instead of worrying about them, thank God for guiding you and begin to focus on His presence more than the decisions.  
2. Give yourself some time to breathe and remove the pressure from feeling like you have to make a decision now. If your thoughts start becoming anxious, begin to praise and thank God for leading you.