One thing that will create stress for you, your staff, and even your congregation is when you are indecisive. It is a form of double-mindedness, and James says that leads to instability (James 1:8).
I think part of the problem is that we complicate decisions, often factoring in information that isn’t really important, relying on our own wisdom while failing to specifically seek God and his wisdom.
When I find myself stuck over a decision, I go back to the basics with these four steps:
1. I admit I need God’s guidance to make any decision.
None of us can see the future. We don’t know what’s going to happen tomorrow—much less next year or 10 years from now. The Bible says, “There is a way that appears to be right, but in the end it leads to death” (Proverbs 14:12 NIV). On the other hand, God knows everything that has happened to you, that is happening to you, and that will happen to you. In order to keep our ministries heading in the direction God desires, we have to go to him for guidance in making decisions.
2. I ask in faith for direction.
James 1:5-6 says, “If you want to know what God wants you to do, ask him, and he will gladly tell you, for he is always ready to give a bountiful supply of wisdom to all who ask him; he will not resent it. But when you ask him, be sure that you really expect him to tell you, for a doubtful mind will be as unsettled as a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind” (TLB).
Pastor, God is willing and anxious to give you wisdom in your ministry. But you need to expect that he will answer your prayer for guidance. Often, we ask God for guidance, but then we walk away without waiting for his answer. When we think our decisions depend totally on us, it only increases the stress level. When we ask God for guidance, we need to then begin looking for his answer. He will provide it.
3. I listen for God’s response.
God designed you to hear his voice. Job 33:14 says, “For God does speak—now one way, now another—though man may not perceive it” (NIV). God speaks to us through his Word, his people, circumstances, and impressions, among other ways. You need to be sure you’re listening to those “channels” so you can hear what the Lord is saying to you.
4. I trust God when I don’t understand.
You’re already familiar with Proverbs 3:5-6: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight” (NIV). This is another reminder that you can’t figure everything out on your own. You’re a pastor—not God. And only God can tell you the best direction to go when you are making ministry decisions.
God doesn’t want you to be confused, and he will never lead you into confusion. If you’re having trouble figuring out which way to go, get back to the basics and trust that God will give you the guidance you ask for.
Hi Pastor Rick, this was a blessing to me this morning.
Recently I heard the Lord say to me that He has a flock for me to shepherd. He said not to go start a church, there are hundreds of churches without a shepherd. He would reveal the one. Words such as I’ve just read are encouraging.
Thank you
James
Thanks , for the insight – Pastor Rick! This is a secret to a balanced living. God bless you.
Thank you, Pastor Rick!❤
I’m not Hired Pastor, just a member of a church in Japan.
I found out these 4 steps are also aplicable to my life.
No.3 listening God’s guidance for the direction and disicion
touched me most.
I wanna apply this, in my life this week.
Thank you very much!❤
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding;”
Simply thanks for these words!
Alex C.
Thanks , for the insight!
This revelation is really for us pastors to be decisive leaders.I see unnecessary pressure,leading from back and God’s work is suffering due us leaders.am blessed
good day Pastor Rick , I am richly blessed by your articles. May God bless you. Please I am interested in writing a book based on revelations I received from the Lord. I would like you to write a forward to it and see if you can assist in publishing it. I can send you the manuscript if you are willing to help. Hope to hear from you soon. God bless you.
This is a secret to a balanced living. Thanks for sharing this spiritual blessing.
I was blessed Pastor to lean about the channels God uses when speaking to us. God bless you and your ministry. Amen
Human beings are gregarious animals once you leave them they do what is pleasing to them. Only God knows who really is, and can give you a better future. Let’s allow him to lead us, instead of we leading ourselves. Samson led himself and he went astray and failed as a leader. Thanks so much for sharing.
Gracias por todo lo que compartes y nos entrega con tanta sabiduría de lo
Alto pastor Rick oro por usted y su gran ministerio, familia y servicio al Señor Amén.
I’m encouraged through this and I have to go back to the basics to ask for direction. Thanks pastor.
Blessings pastor. We all need guidance and assurance that we are making sound and effective decisions. You are consistent in your teachings.
Thank you for sharing these inspired reminder so we may not for get the one who has called us.
Peace, peace, peace in my heart after finishing reading this teaching!
My ONLY comment…?!
“Equipping the Saints, to do the work of the Ministry” (Ephesians 4:11-13).
Thank you, and continue this equipping!!!
Powerful insight here.
Thank you for the word of encouragement. Stand with me in prayers as i take a step of faith, iam starting a church.
Thank you for this word
from jemes 1-8 is good to me
two ways is not good
God blesses
I wish you blessing peace and hope
Prayer me God to help me i have crusade and conference
on 6th september this year God to be with me in very thing
My ebook is a Bible-based book called Let’s Get UnStuck and it also is about indecisiveness and procrastination and the elephant in the middle of the room.
And I spoke tonight about Spiritual Emptiness for our Wednesday evening service.
Wow, I love it when God confirms His word by showing it from different platforms from different people.
i admit and believe that fervent and simple prayer or may i say prayer fever can melt a sword of steel and what you pray is what you get. but be mindful that the other spelling of doubt is fear
and sometimes what you fear the most is what you get its a proven fact in the secular dimension
when a student fears that he might fail in his board exam even if he studied seriously in his reviews this guy will cram in his own seat during the final actual exam. remember what a man soweth that shall he also reap. therefore Pray and Believe faith is the the word(software), ‘to believe’ is the action( hardware) been there done that.(mark9:23) proves this.
Excelente que Dios siga bendiciendo al pastor Rick y a la Iglesia que dirige por darle tanto al ministerio pastoral.
Excellent