Where do you go for answers when faced with dilemmas and decisions? Whose counsel do you seek in your relationships, marriage, parenting, and life? We really have two options. Discover what those options are in this devotion by Misty Hedgepath.
My son has recently had some fear of sleeping alone. Most all children face this at some point in their childhood. The fear can come from a noise, being in the dark, a bad dream, a scary movie or just something they are unable to shake in their undeveloped minds. After several weeks of unsuccessfully trying to combat these fears with him - and losing many hours of sleep each night - I decided it was time to seek some counsel.
I reached out to a resource that I thought might be able to help. The advice I received was to “tough love” this situation. So I did. I offered a compromise and if it wasn’t met, there would be a consequence.
As a mother, I want to make sure I find the right balance of expressing nurturing love and tough love in raising our children. I think many moms (and dads!) are occasionally guilty of offering one of these when the other might be the better option.
Like a multitude of situations in parenting, it did not go as I had planned it all out in my head! The compromise I extended wasn’t met with complete compliance by my son. He was scared and just wanted to be with me. It was the middle of night. I was exhausted, already sleep-deprived, and quickly irritated. I was trying my best to follow the well-meaning advice I had been given. Needless to say, I didn’t handle the situation with much elegance or grace.
After a few nights of growing frustration and guilt-filled mornings, I decided I needed to jump ship on the “tough love” approach. I needed to stop fighting what felt more natural to me, which was to help my son to not feel afraid. And to do so with a more nurturing, loving, and patient approach. The answer to his fear was clearly not going to be found in the method I was attempting. I had to accept there was no quick answer to this problem.
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When we face dilemmas and challenges in this life it can be difficult to know where to go for the answers. As Christians, we have two options. We can go to the world or to the Word for solutions. The world may give you a more immediate answer. The worldly answers can, at times, present what looks like instant gratification. They can seem great at first. But in the end, you may just end up trying to tape a band aid over a bullet hole.
A solution from the Word of God, sought through prayer, may take longer to receive, but will give you a sense of peace. When you find answers in His Word, you will feel content and calm in your decision. It won’t feel like you are trying to push the rain back into a storm cloud. If you are forcing an unnatural solution to a challenge in your life, take time to ask God if the answer you found is according to His Word and His will. If you don’t feel at peace, you have likely stumbled upon a worldly decision. “The Lord says,
“I will guide you along the best pathway for your life.
I will advise you and watch over you.”
Psalm 32:8 (NLT)
Our decisions in this life matter. From the seemingly small and insignificant ones to the major, life changing ones. Our decisions now are the stepping stones on a path that either lead us into God’s presence - or His absence – not just now, in this life, but also for eternity! In Deuteronomy 30:15-20, Moses makes this clear as he speaks to the children of Israel, giving them commands with promises and consequences of either life or death.
“Now listen! Today I am giving you a choice between life and death, between prosperity and disaster. For I command you this day to love the Lord your God and to keep his commands, decrees, and regulations by walking in his ways. If you do this, you will live and multiply, and the Lord your God will bless you and the land you are about to enter and occupy.
“But if your heart turns away and you refuse to listen, and if you are drawn away to serve and worship other gods, then I warn you now that you will certainly be destroyed. You will not live a long, good life in the land you are crossing the Jordan to occupy.
“Today I have given you the choice between life and death, between blessings and curses. Now I call on heaven and earth to witness the choice you make. Oh, that you would choose life, so that you and your descendants might live! You can make this choice by loving the Lord your God, obeying him, and committing yourself firmly to him. This is the key to your life.” Deuteronomy 30:15-20 (NLT)
{my graphics are inspirational gifts for you}
Friend, I encourage you to choose the path that offers life. In that path is peace and grace. In that path is the assurance of a loving, perfect Father guiding you toward His best.
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Editor's Note:
This guest devotional blog is by Misty Hedgepath and shared with permission.
If you like this blog, read You Can Trust God When the Waves of Life Roar by Misty next
© 2023 Misty Hedgepath. All Rights Reserved.
Jennifer C. Stone-Sexton © 2023 Freedom to Flourish, LLC
All graphics created by Jennifer C. Stone-Sexton © 2023 Freedom to Flourish, LL
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Photo Credits: Cover Photo by Xavier Mouton Photographie on Unsplash