Resting In God's PeacePrøve

God’s Peace to Make Good Decisions

It is difficult to make good decisions when you are overshadowed by fear. There can be some comfort in not knowing, in not facing an overwhelming diagnosis or challenge. There can also be positive and negative ways to receive difficult news that influence your ability to make good decisions about how to respond and move forward. There are ways to create a safe space to handle the challenges you face.

Jamie had the misfortune of receiving the news of her high risk of developing AD in a negative, heartwrenching way. Her experience threw her into depression and thoughts of suicide before her husband pushed her to get help and before she realized the resources God had provided for her. Although you can’t always control how news is shared with you, you can build a support system of friends and professionals that can help temper the impact of what is shared. 

Because Jamie eventually chose to take a positive approach to her circumstances, she was able to see the many reasons to have hope for the future. She learned the importance of having the support of caring doctors and friends, and the vital role that good scientific information has in making good decisions about how to live, find treatment, and find hope and peace. While not knowing what is ahead, especially if it is scary, has some comfort, knowing has an even more positive impact. Jamie’s mom was also at high risk for developing AD, and she was worrying about what was happening inside her brain, without knowing what was truly going on. Surrounded by caring doctors and family, her mom had a brain scan done. This showed that her brain was healthy, and her worry and fears were unfounded and brought her peace. 

If test results do not bring good news, there is the hope that comes from early detection, opportunities to be part of research that can help you or others down the road. Being part of the solution to your challenge can be life-changing. Support groups can lift the load and staying current on scientific developments can ease unfounded worry. 

God brought doctors, research opportunities, volunteering, and the kindness of friends and strangers into her life to help her move forward and hope and peace for her future and others like her. Psalm 111:10 says that faith and reverence for God, the kind of fear that is founded in awe, is where wisdom and understanding begin. When God takes His rightful place in your life, He can guide you as you make decisions that honor Him, honor the life He has given you, dispel the shadows and usher in His peace. That kind of life, grounded in God, can bring light and hope to any situation and can spread to those around you that need to see their lives through God’s eyes.

Respond

What has most influenced your decision-making in the past during stressful times? How would you make those choices today if you could? 

How do knowledge and insight into the truth of your circumstances help you make positive choices about how to respond? How have you seen God at work in your circumstances?

Where do you need God’s guidance and wisdom in your life? How does God’s help bring light and hope to your life?