The Weekly Encourager - August 4, 2011 - They Who Trust Him Wholly

We've been talking about anxiety concerning the health and safety of loved ones, but today I'm thinking about a different sort of anxiety: the fear of making the wrong decision.  I have a friend who is fearful of making an important career move, and another who is trying to decide whether to marry a certain person.  I myself am going back and forth on deciding which career path to choose, partly because not making a definite move is easier than making a bold decision and perhaps failing.  In all three cases, everyone surrounding the people in question is urging us on, saying, "Come on, you can do it, it will work out fine," etc., but somehow it's not quite enough.

Obviously, Christians want to seek the Lord's approval in such major life decisions, but how does He show His approval?  We know from Scripture that when we obey Him, He is pleased.  The commands He gives us can be summed up in loving God with all our hearts, souls, minds and strength, and loving our neighbor as ourselves.  If your life is on that track, you're probably doing God's will.   Everything else is puny when placed next to those considerations.  Now that we've got that straight, we're ready to make the "minor" major decisions.  God has given each one different gifts, talents, education, family situation, circumstances, health, opportunities, etc.  We are to use the brains God gave us to make the best choices we can at the time, with confidence that the Lord will bless our decisions.  God also gives friends, siblings, parents, teachers, pastors, coaches, etc. because there is wisdom in an abundance of counselors.  If all of these are aligned, the path seems pretty clear.  So why can't we step forward?

Could it be that for these life decisions, I don't want to trust God?  Does my pride make make me want to hold something back?   Do I want to keep some control for myself?  I already trusted Him with the most important Life Decision anyone could ever make: accepting salvation by faith in Jesus Christ.  It seems ludicrous that I could have faith enough for that, yet lack confidence to take much smaller steps.  Could it be that I'm still thinking with the "flesh" and trying to do it all myself?  If I depend only on myself for success in a career, or a marriage, or any other significant endeavor, no wonder I'm afraid!  I've seen how hard it is.  Jesus said," Apart from Me you can do nothing."  Paul said, " I can do all things through Him who strengthens me."  Each decision point is a new opportunity to say, Lord I trust in You.  I will step out in faith and walk daily with You.  I won't let myself be afraid of what trouble may lie ahead, because You hold my hand.  Teach me to walk with confidence, coming boldly before the Throne of Grace.

Another reason some of us don't step out in faith is that we fear we're not worthy of good things happening to us.  As a result of living in a sinful world, deep inside we feel that the good things in life are for other people.  We may even be afraid that if we do get something good, it will be taken away.  If "perfect love casts out fear," then I must not understand perfect love, God's perfect love for me.  I need to review the Bible promises which are yes and amen in Christ.  Lord, heal my unbelief.  Thank You for loving me as a kind and generous father loves his child.  Help me to see and be grateful for all Your abundant blessings upon my life, including the discipline that is given by a loving father as training in righteousness.  Oh, my wicked heart that resists faith, even while asking for it!  Oh, the time I have wasted by indulging in fearful indecision!  What work could I have accomplished, what lives could I have touched, what glory could I have brought to God's name!  But I press on, not dwelling in the past, but going forward with uplifted eyes.

The old hymn said it well, "We may trust Him fully all for us to do; they who trust Him wholly find Him wholly true."  May the Lord whose name is "Faithful and True" grant us true faith.

God is faithful,
j

(As always, I welcome your comments.  There is a place to "post a comment" just below each post, and you don't have to leave your name.)

Copyright 2011 Janet A. Marney
Hymn "Like a River Glorious" by Frances R. Havergal, 1874.