By: Beth Doohan

“Against all hope, Abraham in hope believed and so became the father of many nations, just as it had been said to him, ‘So shall your offspring be.’” ~Romans 4:18

“Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.” 2 Corinthians 4:16-18

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After you discern what God’s best is and wait for His timing, then it is time to walk it out. God calls us to be bold, to be confident in the plan He has given us. Even when you know God is leading you to make a decision, we are easily susceptible to internal pressures such as fear, doubt, insecurity, as well as external pressures like relationship issues, competition and distraction. In these times, we have to continually bring our hearts before the Lord, trusting what He has already promised us.

Sometimes you have a clear direction on your destination. You absolutely know God has called you to “fill-in-the-blank,” but you don’t know the specific way to get there. Other times, you have a clear discernment in your heart for the next step. God has opened a door, and you have peace to go, but don’t know exactly what comes next or where it will lead.

Between the knowns and unknowns is where we have to entrust our lives to God and continue to discern as we, step by step, fulfill His calling for us. This is where faith and trust come into play. If you have intentionally sought God and discerned His direction, whether for a step or a destination, you can know that you are in God’s will. Even without knowing the full picture, you can trust that our faithful God has the best plan, and it is good.

A Chatterbox of Emotions

Once a decision has been made, we may experience times of doubt, fear and discouragement. Author and Pastor Steven Furtick called these emotional strains the “Chatterbox” of our minds, which is a tool the Enemy uses to thwart God’s plan for our lives. He writes that to overcome these chatterbox emotions and continue in God’s purposes means, “choosing to believe what He has said, whether you can hear it now or not. And what did He say? He said, ‘You can.’ Not because you’re so great. But because Christ in you is the greatest” (Crash the Chatterbox). When God makes a promise, gives a direction, or opens a door, you can be sure that He will help you see it through, as long as you rely on His strength.

Sometimes as we are discerning God’s calling or direction for a decision, it can feel so complicated. Obstacles may seem insurmountable, such as facing challenges or hardship while doing God’s will. Insecurities may shake our confidence, or impatience can rob us of abundant living in the present. When this happens, continue on as you have been called, taking steps toward your decision. Be a woman of action and faithfulness! Even if you still feel uncertain or worn out, God is bigger than your feelings. He will help give you confidence and strength as you walk out His best for you. It may not be easy, and many times is not easy, but it will be worth it to experience all that God has for you.

As you practice using godly discernment, there may be times you believe you made a mistake, or did not follow His direction. When this happens, ask for God’s grace and forgiveness and seek Him for next steps. Matthew 13:12 says, “To those who listen to My teaching, more understanding will be given, and they will have an abundance of knowledge. But for those who are not listening, even what little understanding they have will be taken from them.” If God tells you to do so, make a different choice, the best choice, from discerning what He would have you do.

Against All Hope

When the Israelites reached the Promised Land, they were delayed 40 years from entering because they wallowed in doubt and fear, rather than courage and strength in the Lord. They had just been set free from slavery in Egypt, and God had brought them to this good land. Yet, when it came time to walk out God’s best in their lives by conquering the land’s inhabitants, they were overcome with fear and refused to trust Him. Because of this, an entire generation missed out on experiencing His best in their lives.

Yet despite their journey extending 40 years beyond what the Lord had planned, Joshua 21:45 says that “Not a single one of all the good promises the Lord had given to the family of Israel (to Abraham and his children) was left unfulfilled; everything He had spoken came true.” FINALLY, the nation of Israel was able to experience all that God had promised to His servant Abraham. God’s Word is true. You can trust that if God speaks to you through discernment, He will fulfill it in His timing and in His way as long as you continue to follow Him.

All that to say: Your mission is set, your calling is certain, and your omnipotent, all-powerful God is with you every step of the way. Remember how Jesus invited the disciples, as we are still invited today, to “Let Me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light” (Matthew 11:29-30). So go forth with confident trust in the Lord as you navigate decisions. Bring your heart before Him with all the ups and downs and the “Chatterbox” strains, and allow Him to teach you on the journey.

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