Decisions, decisions.

Sometimes it's big decisions, other times it's just small things like, "Should I get the Meatball sub or the salad? Maybe I should go with a hamburger..." Been there, done that (chose the salad). I gotta admit, making big decisions is tough business. There's too much stress involved, too many "What-if's" So what do we do?

The best answer is to pray. 

But what if He doesn't answer right away? What if it's not the answer I want to hear? What if it changes all the plans I had? What if I think it's the answer God's giving me but it's just my thinking? Oh Lord, what if....

You see my point here? 

As people, especially teenagers, we have a tendency to sometimes overthink things or "What-if" everything. Some of us don't really like to look that far ahead, but others enjoy having every single step of the way planned out. I'm gonna be really honest here, I like to have a feeling of security knowing that everything is all planned out, but that's not how life works! God wants us to trust that He knows the plans he has for us!

"'For I know the plans I have for you,' declares the LORD, 'plans to prosper you, and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV)

Sometimes we stress so much thinking about whether or not we make the right decision we totally miss the point! God brought us all the way here, and He's going to lead us to His perfect will, if (and only if) we let Him.

So when you're completely stressed out and going out of your mind about some big decision that you have to make, think of this verse: 

"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 your minds in Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:6-7

After prayerfully seeking God's way for you, when you feel at peace with the choice you make, truly at peace, you know it was God who made the way for you to get to where you are. As my mother always says, "God is the one who opens doors and closes doors." Don't go and force a door to open when it's clearly not for you! The Lord has amazing things in store for you, so listen carefully to His guidance and obey Him every step of the way! You can rest assured that just as the Psalmist says in Psalm 23, the Lord is our shepherd.

"The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: He leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul. He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for His name's sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies; thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever." Psalm 23:1-5

How good it is to know that the Lord does all of these things! Isn't it wonderful to have the security that we will dwell in the house of the LORD forever?! Let's let go of our worry and just trust in Him, knowing that He will set our paths straight. Only He can point us in the right direction. Only He can show us what the right decision is.

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