Decisions, Decisions, Decisions

Every Summer I receive many, many emails from nervous, anxious, frustrated mothers trying to make decisions about this year’s homeschool plans. Some are deciding to homeschool, some are deciding on teaching approaches, some are deciding on curriculum. The common thread is fear of making the wrong decision.

God wants us to call out to Him in all decisions – especially homeschool decisions! Of course, God cares what you teach your children. He wants you to come to Him and to have faith that He will lead you.

But My Mind is Like Spaghetti!

In nothing be anxious; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. (Phil 4:6)

We should not be anxious because our decisions should not rely on our limited abilities but on God’s unlimited abilities. We cannot begin to build a faith-based life until we accept God’s way as the only way in every circumstance. He honors our desire to make wise and biblically sound decisions. When we commit our decision-making to Him in prayer, He reveals the correct course. It’s that simple, no matter how big or small the decision.

Trusting God to make our decisions does not mean faith is passive. The Hebrew word for faith is emunah. It means faithfulness, persistent determination, holding steady, holding firm, holding true to what is true: the faithfulness of God. Our readiness to fully devote our life to the service of God and sacrifice our life for the sake of God is the expression of our emunah in God. I urge you to print and read the encouraging article by Glenn Blank titled Emunah: Faith and Faithfulness.

Hebrews 11 , the faith chapter, shows an action following every mention of faith. Our first task is to go to God in prayer and ask Him to lead us. Then, we must consciously decide to trust Him for an answer and wait with assurance and anticipation that He will follow through on His promises and then walk forward in faith that our course is the right one. But, we have to lean on Him who knows the end from the beginning. He knows which path is right. He knows which course will lead us to His will.

Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. (Proverbs 3:5)

Making Informed Decisions

Jesus explains we are to find out the facts before we make decisions. ”For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it? Lest haply, after he hath laid the foundation, and is not able to finish it, all that behold it begin to mock him, Saying, This man began to build, and was not able to finish.” Study the pros and cons of any decision in your own mind, talk to your spouse. Listen to the Lord’s leading. He promises to guide you. Then, pray again to affirm your decision.

One Step at a Time

You don’t need to see months down the road. You only need to make one step at a time. God’s promises give you the light you need to guide you, just as He guided the Israelites out of Egypt. Don’t grumble and complain – just follow. Get alone with God and pour out your request to Him until you receive the calm assurance that you’ve made the right decision. Trust Him wholly. Don’t let doubts and fears drive you back to bondage.

We allow circumstances to become overwhelming when we take our eyes off Christ and slip into “what ifs.” But there is a peace when we seek God. Pray for wisdom, see your God leading you in all your ways, take one step at a time, fully trusting He will provide all your needs in His timing.

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. But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord. A double minded man is unstable in all his ways. (James 1:5-8).

After you pray, listen closely for any feelings you may have. If you have feelings of peace, excitement, happiness or joy afterwards, then you know you’ve made the correct decision as long as it lines up with Scripture (God will NEVER answer prayer with something that does not line up with the Bible). If you feel confused, depressed, unsure, uneasy or disturbed, you know it’s not the right decision. God will lead.

Our heavenly Father has told us to ask and we shall receive, seek and we shall find, knock and it shall be opened unto us. Don’t lean on your own understanding when a confirmation of your decisions is so easy to obtain. Ask God in faith, nothing wavering and you can go forward in confidence that your choices are right.

But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Matthew 6:31-34

Remember to prepare for eternity–not for one semester!

Portions of the above are from The Heart of Wisdom Teaching Approach

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