Over the last two days I have been digging through my treasure chest of memories of the wonderful things that God has done in my life.
First of all, I was so blessed to be raised by a mother and father who truly feared the Lord and served Him and honored Him in the way, they chose to live their lives and raise their children.
From birth I was taught about God. You see, as a child God was already preparing my heart to desire being in His presence more than anything in this world.
I remember around the age of nineteen while having my quiet time I came across a passage of scripture that had a profound effect on me. It was 2nd Chronicles 1:6-12.
2 Chronicles 1:6-12 (NIV)
6 Solomon went up to the bronze altar before the Lord in the tent of meeting and offered a thousand burnt offerings on it.
7 That night God appeared to Solomon and said to him, “Ask for whatever you want me to give you.”
8 Solomon answered God, “You have shown great kindness to David my father and have made me king in his place. 9 Now, Lord God, let your promise to my father David be confirmed, for you have made me king over a people who are as numerous as the dust of the earth. 10 Give me wisdom and knowledge, that I may lead this people, for who is able to govern this great people of yours?”
11 God said to Solomon, “Since this is your heart’s desire and you have not asked for wealth, possessions or honor, nor for the death of your enemies, and since you have not asked for a long life but for wisdom and knowledge to govern my people over whom I have made you king, 12 therefore wisdom and knowledge will be given you. And I will also give you wealth, possessions and honor, such as no king who was before you ever had and none after you will have.”
I don’t know why it had such an impact on me at that age, but it did. Obviously the Holy Spirit was at work. As I look back I know now that God knew that my journey would not be an easy one and that I would need His Godly wisdom to get through the rough spots. Even to this day I still pray for Wisdom.
I believe in my heart that this simple prayer has helped me and guided me. It has also given me some insights and understanding that I don’t think I would have had otherwise.
Am I perfect? No. Do I know everything? No. Could I stand toe to toe with Solomon? I don’t think so.
What I do know is that the times I have come to God and asked for wisdom about a particular situation, He has revealed things to me and given me clarity so that I could feel confident about my decision making and to be at peace with it.
Do you find yourself stressing out when it is time to make a decision? For many the decision making process is an agonizing one. Some simply go through life putting off making decisions. For these people it is easier to procrastinate than to risk making the wrong decision. In their eyes a bad decision equals failure.
Remember anything that is fear based is not from God. Satan uses this tactic to slow you down, and in some cases to shut you down. When you are afraid to make a decision it paralyzes you. It stops you from moving forward and thus you become ineffective.
I have great news for you! God in his infinite wisdom knew we would need His guidance and therefore He created this thing called Wisdom. Godly Wisdom helps us to make right choices and decisions. Prayer helps us to admit that we are in need of God’s guidance and wisdom to safely arrive at the right decision for the challenges and opportunities we will face.
As women we may have to make hundreds of decisions in one day. Everything from what to wear for your important meeting to what to unthaw for dinner tonight. And then there are more important decision such as which home to purchase or is this this the man I should marry? Is this God’s choice for me or am I this stepping ahead of God because this is what I want. Should I have chemo therapy or not? The list goes on and on day after day.
I am here today to tell you that you no longer have to stress out about decisions and right choice, simply pray. Ask God for wisdom, guidance and clarity. God’s word tells us that if we ask for wisdom He will bless us with it.
James 1:5
If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. SKJV
That simple prayer that I prayed at the age of 19 has carried me through some hard stuff and by God’s grace and His power working through me I still stand and you can too. Just ask for the wisdom He so freely desires to give you. And you will be truly Blessed.
