discernment

Stuck at a crossroads.

/ Craig / Leave a comment

I remember feeling stuck!

Not sure what to do next I worked myself into a corner trying to figure out God’s will. Discernment is often a process. We can get impatient. But I also felt stuck with the foreboding sense of fear: “I might make the wrong decision.” It was a major decision. Literally. What was I going to study?

The following verse from Psalm 37 helped me to relax and trust that God would use, shape and change the internal desires of my heart as my heart took delight in Him. All of Psalm 37 is helpful in setting a course of life during these periods of decision and transition.

“Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.” Psalm 37:4

Delight yourself in the Lord! I began to know that I could make a decision. Aim at something. And trust that God would lead me to the next decision.

To make God my delight is turn the affections of my soul first to Jesus and to trust that He will guide me into how to relate people, the stuff of earth, and myself.

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Its not about moi

/ Craig / 2 Comments

The ability to suspend judgment requires not only skill but also a lot of energy.

 

This is especially true when you want to be a good friend or parent, or spouse, that conveys empathy, interest, and acceptance.

 

Listening long and with compassion doesn’t mean you approve of or agree with their position.  But you can begin to discern what the roots of their position is.  You can begin to hear what is in their heart.

 

Here are proverbs that create relational tension for me.

 

13If one gives an answer before he hears,

it is his folly and shame.

 

14A man’s spirit will endure sickness,

but a crushed spirit who can bear?

 

15An intelligent heart acquires knowledge,

and the ear of the wise seeks knowledge.

 

16A man’s gift makes room for him

and brings him before the great.

 

17The one who states his case first seems right,

until the other comes and examines him.

 

Proverbs 18:13-17

 

The crushed spirit needs a friend.

But the crushed spirit has also likely lost perspective.

“It” has become all about “moi.”

And while this crushed one needs empathy,

at the right time he also needs

to see the bigger picture;

“It” is not all about “moi.”