Whose Advice Do You Seek?

In the book of Isaiah, God’s people did not seek the Lord’s advice regarding the Assyrian nation. Instead, they turned to Egypt for protection. God spoke these words to His people.

In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength, but you would have none of it (Isaiah 30:15, NIV).

How guilty have I been? Seeking advice from those I trust is not a bad thing. But I should go to God first. After I’ve sought wise counsel from others, I need to return to the Lord and rely upon Him to guide me to make the right decisions.

The leaders of Judah trusted in horses, chariots, and a nation that could not help them. They would have suffered less had they understood their deliverance would come from confidence in the Lord.

How many times would I have struggled less had I called upon God? Instead, I followed the crowd or agreed to an idea or advice without questioning it.  

But our God is gracious. His mercy is available to each of us. Verse 18 describes God’s mercy toward his people.

Yet the Lord longs to be gracious to you; therefore he will rise up to show you compassion. For the Lord is a God of justice. Blessed are all who wait for him (NIV)!

When I wait on the Lord and seek His wisdom, He’ll speak if I’m willing to listen. God whispers in my ear. It’s up to me to pay attention.

Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, “This is the way; walk in it” (Isaiah 30:21, NIV).

Often, I pray first. After I seek advice from others, I’ll follow up with research of my own. I usually pray again about the situation. Waiting is my biggest challenge. By the time I get there, I think I’ve got it all figured out. I need to slow down and wait on God.

My life’s journey will be easier to travel when I learn to be still and rest in God’s strength for everything. I need to trust Him from the first prayer through the wait.

Which part of the advice process is most challenging for you?

No Problem

Last week my travels took me to Cleveland, Tennessee. Our family lived there thirty years ago. My husband, Kenn, and I ate at our favorite pizza place—Gondolier’s. The owner responded to our arrival with joy. We’ve stopped there a few times to eat over the years, but I’m always amazed he remembers us.

One visit to this restaurant will always stick with me. Our family of four lined up behind a few others and waited for a table.

The owner asked the first family (in his strong Greek accent), “How many?”

“Four.”

“No problem,” he said.

To the next couple in line he asked, “How many?”

“Two.”

“No problem.”

To my husband he said, “How many?”

Kenn replied, “Four.”

“No problem.”

He seated us and looked to the door toward the next group. “How many?”

“Three.”

He sighed. “Now we gotta problem.”

I’m so thankful God doesn’t say this to us. Instead, He responds with His love and grace. He goes to work on our behalf.

God, I need help with my finances. No problem.

Lord, I need a job. No problem.

Jesus, we need a church where we can grow and serve. No problem.

Father, we need our marriage healed. Does He reply, now we got a problem?

Ephesians 3:20 is one of my favorite verses. Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think.

God can do more than what we ask of Him. He has the power and resources. With His power at work in us (the Holy Spirit) we receive strength, guidance, and determination to work through our problems. With God for us, who can be against us? (Romans 8:31)

But what are we required to do? We pray, ask, and trust God will move in our circumstances and do what only He can do. We must put action to our prayers and allow the Holy Spirit to direct our steps. This may mean we need to prepare a budget if our finances are out of whack. Brush up on our skills to find a better job. Visit a few churches and listen to God with our spiritual hearts to know where He wants us to serve. We may need to seek the help of a Christian counselor before we find healing in our relationships.

Are our difficulties problems in the Lord’s eyes?

To us He answers, No problem.

Find Peace in His Presence

Our dog will soon be three. During the last year, she became afraid of our stairs. She won’t go up or down without help. We carry her up and give her a nudge to go down. We don’t understand what caused her to refuse the steps. She must have slipped. I’m thankful she only weighs 20 pounds. Any heavier, she’d remain downstairs.

I suggested to my husband we adopt a kitten. With a cat to follow up the stairs, we might see a change in our Pebbles. She may let go of her fear for a game of chase.

I’m a cat lover. Our cat, Koko, died eight months ago, and I miss her. I wouldn’t let the dog harm the kitten. Although I may allow Pebbles to chase the kitten to get over her fear of the stairs, I’d be right there to protect my kitty.

A few blogs ago, in Childhood Memories, I shared one of my fears. My dislike of toilets. Another event that frightened me many years ago also dealt with a commode. I used a restroom at an amusement park but didn’t pay attention when I sat that this toilet was different. Before I stood, the thing flushed by itself and scared me! The first automatic flushing toilet I’d used. I still don’t like them. But since toilets are a necessity, I’ve had to face my fear.

It's frightening when a son or daughter takes off alone that first, second, and third time after getting their driver’s license. And what about public speaking, job interviews, and waiting for the results of a medical test? These situations often cause us to worry.

The Lord is with us when we are afraid or concerned. He knows what frightens us and what causes our uncertainties and worry. When we trust Him and give Him our fears, He’s right there with us. He won’t leave us alone. We find peace in His presence.

Deuteronomy 31:8 says, Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the LORD will personally go ahead of you. He will be with you; he will neither fail you nor abandon you (NLT).

I’m open to ideas to help our dog let go of her fear. I can tell her to trust in Christ, but I’m not sure she’ll pay attention.

What makes you fearful?

Peace Came in the Morning

Not too long ago, I received disappointing news. Something I’d hoped for didn’t happen. The next morning, I awoke filled with anxiety. After I spent time in prayer and read my Bible, I prepared my breakfast. I thought one of my favorite songs might get me more excited about getting ready to go to work. When I called upon my Amazon Echo, I struggled to get the words out fast enough—forgot the name of the song.

My Echo thinks she knows me well. She said something like, “Since you listen to worship music, I’ll play the Amazon worship channel and Chris Tomlin.”

Sounded good to me. I like Chris. The song, “Good, Good Father” played. After Chris, another song played about trusting God. The two songs together spoke to my heart and spirit and brought peace to my morning and a wonderful reminder of God’s faithfulness.

My hope is found in the Lord. He meets my needs. I acknowledged how good my God truly is and renewed my choice to trust Him in my situation and with the decisions I needed to make.

When I put my faith and trust in the one who loves and watches over me, my anxiety diminishes, and peace moves in. Peace makes a better companion.

Proverbs 3:5-6 says, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart. Never rely on what you think you know. Remember the Lord in everything you do, and he will show you the right way” (GNB).