Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7
How can we hear the Lord in those times when we need to make potentially life changing decisions?
I’ve recently been experiencing a very hard season as I’ve made the painful decision to give up my first ever Guide dog after just one week of training. I can hardly believe that just a few days ago, I was planning my immediate future with him at my side, and now he is gone. Marilyn and I both bonded with Warren and he has a lovely temperament alongside some naughty quirks, so the sadness of saying goodbye to him runs deep.
And yet I know in my heart it was the right decision. The Lord has given me peace about it as opposed to the anxiety I was feeling while Warren was here.
It is a strange peace because for the last two years since being turned down for a Hearing dog, I’ve felt a deep desire for a dog of my own again. It seemed a miracle when Guide dogs matched me with Warren when I’d only been on the list for five days instead of the usual two to three years.
When anxiety hits us, it can be hard to discern what’s really happening. Our hearts are deceitful and we have an enemy who loves to bombard us with fears and negativity. But there is also the voice of validity. Are our deep emotional responses trying to tell us something? I am learning that as we seek to go deeper in hearing the Lord, that we need to also learn to listen to our true heart voice. Why was I feeling anxious? Was it just the enemy? Was it because of Warren’s naughty aspects? Or was it something deeper in me that needed addressing?
We need to still ourselves and listen for the Lord’s whisper which may come as a tiny ‘knowing’ in our hearts. When Elijah was suffering from burnout and full of fear, God told him to wait while he, the Lord, passed by. There came a mighty wind, an earthquake and a fire. Do we expect the Lord to only show up in the dramatic, powerful moments? But when he did speak to Elijah, it was in a whisper. It was the voice of love and compassion.
Have you heard his whisper today?
Solomon teaches us,
I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go, I will counsel you with my loving eye on you. Proverbs32:8
God’s whisper will always be loving, even if He is challenging us about certain aspects of our lives. He promises to instruct and counsel us which is deeply comforting. The Lord showed me areas of my heart that need more healing and that this wasn’t the right season for an assistance dog. I sensed He was lovingly challenging me, ‘Will you look to me and love me first. Will you trust me and allow me to work in your heart and subconscious to heal your hurts and fears and the lies you’ve taken on board in your life? Will you put Me first in this season and choose to focus on what I am calling you to do?’
I needed to let go and shift my perspective to my God instead of my dog.
My longings and desires matter 100% to Him and so do yours. He knows how to fulfil them in the best possible way. As Solomon teaches us:
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not onyour own understanding. In all your waysacknowledge Him and He will make your paths straight. Prov 3:5-6
If you are facing deep feelings of uncertainty or know in your heart that Jesus is calling you to let go, then He will strengthen you to take that step. He is with you, full of love and delight in you. He calls you to turn your face towards Him and listen for His whisper. He will direct your path and give you His peace. Don’t be afraid. He knows the cost of your choice and is there to ‘satisfy your desires with good things.’ He alone knows the right times and seasons. What is he telling you? He loves you. He will counsel you and giveyou his peace. He will make straight your paths.
Prayer O Lord you know my heart and the confusion I feel. Lord, I look to you and thank you that you delight in helping me find the right way. Help me to make the right choices Lord, Godly choices that spring from your love in my heart. Thank you for your peace that passes all understanding. Thank you that you satisfy my desires with good things. I trust you Lord and love you and bask in your love for me. Amen.
