How to Trust God With Your Decisions and Stop Looking for Neon Signs From Above

Decision making is no fun. Especially when the decisions we’re struggling with could have life changing or drastic repercussions, or at a minimum have lots of pros and cons to consider. That’s why in my Proverbs 31 devotion running today, I shared about being frustrated with having so many important decisions to make, and how I found myself wishing God would just give me a big ‘ol neon sign from above so I’d know which direction to take. Or if not that, maybe a big fluffy cloud to follow like the Israelites had in Exodus showing them which way to go. If they could get a cloud, it seems only fair you and I could have one too, right?!

I shared a few weeks ago on my blog about my personal situation, which has not only been a drain emotionally, but a drain mentally, because I’ve had to make more hard decisions than ever before in my lifetime. It has not been fun.  After all, who wants to finally make a decision (after a lot of stressing I might add), only to realize later it was a bad one, or at least not the best one that could have been made? I know I don’t, and I dare say neither do you.  I believe that’s why God brought the verse found in Exodus 13:21a to mind for me which says, “By day the LORD went ahead of them in a pillar of cloud to guide them on their way …” Exodus 13:21a (NIV)  As I stated in the devotion, instead of a cloud, I had a cloudy mind. I was so worried to make a wrong decision I couldn’t make any decisions at all. I felt lost in a wilderness, much like the Israelites. But through that passage, God helped calm my heart and my mind by reminding me that even if I make a wrong decision, He’ll still be by my side to teach and guide me through the journey.

I had to change my thoughts about my decisions and stop thinking and acting that things were in my control. Here’s what I chose to do instead, and maybe these tips will help you transform your thinking as well, especially if you’re facing some hard decisions today too:

  • I chose to pray, and ask God to help me stop stressing over not knowing the future. The future is in His hands, regardless of the decisions I make.
  • I chose to stop stressing over whether my decisions were right or wrong, and believe He would be with me either way.
  • I chose to stop obsessing over worst-case or what-if scenarios, and focus my energies and thoughts on the potential positives instead.
  • I chose to remind myself not to think negatively every time one of those nagging, worrisome thoughts bubbled back up to the surface. Reject them, move on.
  • I chose to trust God. Because that’s really the only choice I have. He is in control, and I am not.

You see, I had to intentionally CHOOSE to change my thinking, otherwise my thinking would have changed me. We may not have control over our circumstances, or even the outcome of our decisions, but we always have control over how we think about them. Hard lessons learned during the writing of my next book, that I am praying will help you decide to choose to intentionally think positive too.

___________________________________________________

A couple weeks ago I also shared some miraculous news on my blog (or at least I think it was miraculous!) about how my new book Unsinkable Faith: Transforming the Way You Think, Feel and Live came about, and it will be officially releasing in a mere seven weeks on April 1st!  You can go ahead and pre-order your copy now and still be eligible for the freebies, but they won’t be available to download until March 1st and will only be available for a limited time.

See below for a sneak peek list of what you’ll get with your purchase of Unsinkable Faith. Beginning March 1st, you’ll be able to upload your receipt for the book and submit it, and within minutes you’ll have your fun and valuable free stuff ready for download! #thinkpositive

(Consider this post a heads up about the freebies and I’ll tell you later how to upload your receipt and claim them  – so for now, just mark your calendar!!)

 

28 Comments

  1. Andi on Friday, February 10, 2017 at 6:45 am

    This was so encouraging to me. My husband and I just found out we have to move because our landlord is selling the house we live in. We have been dealing with some financial issues and they have been improving until we had to relace the engine in my husband’s van we just bought 3 months ago. Another friend reminded me yesterday that I am not in control but God is. I am working on trusting him and keeping my focus on him. Thanks for the devotional. God bless.



  2. Tamara on Friday, February 10, 2017 at 7:05 am

    Beautiful devotion. I have been facing a very tough decision in my life for a very long time. My brain sounds just like this devotion and this devotion sounds just like me. This would be such a great book! God bless you ~ thank you ~ trusting in Him and laying down my anxious thoughts and resting in Him



  3. Rebekah Valdez on Friday, February 10, 2017 at 7:55 am

    This is exactly what I have been feeling for the past 2 weeks. I felt it was written just for me. In November, our family was catapulted into crisis. My daughter had been dealing with issues that I didn’t know about. We are in the midst of a storm that has honestly only gotten worse. I have been agonizing over decisions that will effect my daughter’s future to the point of total paralysis. I have quoted scripture and prayed. I have asked for a blatant sign and I have felt that God has been silent. It has effected my work and my relationships. I have even said, God knows I am praying about this, just choose and let Him do the rest, but that’s easier said than done, I find. Thanks so much for the devotion and blog. All things work together for good for those who are called according to His purpose, Amen.



    • Tracie on Friday, February 10, 2017 at 11:58 am

      Rebekah – not sure if anything is harder than watching our children struggle and worrying about their futures while having little control. I’ll be praying for you all and for God to do a miracle in her heart and in her life, and for Him to equip you with everything you need to help her get through this. Praying for Him to fill you with hope and peace!



    • Dani on Tuesday, February 14, 2017 at 11:35 pm

      Watch/listen to Joseph Prince of Singapore and get his daily email encouragements, Dr. James Dobson of Family Talk and anyone at iBethel.org. Bill Johnson is the senior pastor.



      • Christine on Thursday, February 16, 2017 at 12:12 pm

        I am in the same situation as Rebekah with my daughter! I am really struggling with fear in the descicions I have to make on a daily even hourly basis. Not wanting to push her further into rebellion and wrong choices. I am also so unsure of what to believe and have faith in when in comes to her life and journey. I think of all the people in my life that have not been saved or rescued due to their own choices and free will and I wonder what will be different with my daughter. What do I have faith to believe in, even Judas in the end did not come back. I believe in the Christ and that he can save. But I know for many that’s not the case. What’s to say my daughters life will be different?



        • Shel on Friday, March 3, 2017 at 11:05 am

          Christine,
          I am in literally the exact same place as you and also have grappled with the same thoughts you’ve written. I know Jesus can save, but will my daughter be saved? I see kids with drug addictions dying daily and their parents have been praying for healing and salvation to no avail. So – I too worry about my child’s issues and whether she really will come back to our borders as the Bible promises in Ezekiel. In the end, I know that God is good, and so I make an intentional decision daily, sometimes hoursly, to continue praying for my girl, and praising God for the tiny good things I see here and there. I also honestly tell him I’m struggling with faith, and ask him to help me with my unbelief. Whether or not our kids are saved/rescued is not in our control regardless, so I am asking for the strength and steadfastness to continue loving and praying for her even when I don’t see outward signs of change. I will add you to my list of prayers. I get it.



  4. Nancy on Friday, February 10, 2017 at 8:36 am

    Since my husband’s stroke four years ago, many days I don’t know where to begin to pray because I am so overwhelmed with taking care of him and continuing to work my own job. But, I do know this, the Lord has used his stroke to help me draw so much closer to Jesus Christ. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 “PRAY CONTINUALLY……” and wow, praising God when we do not know how to pray, teaches us right there how to pray. Thank you Tracie for your fabulous writing today and I look forward to reading your books now.



  5. Nancy on Friday, February 10, 2017 at 8:38 am

    P.S. My standard poodle has his own blog about a standard poodle’s perspective on life. It is one outlet that the Lord has given me to remain positive and lighten other’s days. I also pray about starting a blog about how the Lord has blessed me on this journey called life!



    • Dani on Tuesday, February 14, 2017 at 11:44 pm

      I would love to have the name of your poodle’s blog. I do petsitting at people’s homes, and I spoke with someone once about a sit for a standard poodle. I assumed they meant a little poodle. When the woman saw me and I saw her poodle, both of our eyes bugged out. He was big, and I don’t look at all like someone expects me to look. You’d have to ask Tracie to forward the name onto me, if that’s something she would do.



  6. April on Friday, February 10, 2017 at 9:26 am

    I texted my husband today @ 905am the following:
    I feel like an Israelite in the desert and just want to go back to Egypt where I knew what to expect
    I read the P31 post after that @915am.
    Thank you for allowing God to use you to speak to my heart.



    • Tracie on Friday, February 10, 2017 at 11:55 am

      🙂



    • Shel on Friday, March 3, 2017 at 11:07 am

      You would love the song by Sara Groves, Painting Pictures of Egypt. It’s exactly the same thought – returning to a place that may not be perfect, but is known and comfortable. I don’t think your feelings are uncommon. 🙂



  7. Elvira on Friday, February 10, 2017 at 10:39 am

    Wow…! The Lord answered through this blog. I must wait and trust in him.
    Thank you!



  8. Chanda on Friday, February 10, 2017 at 11:02 am

    Thank you for sharing. I just read your earlier post. I was brought here from the Proverbs 31 devotional. I am living this. Trying to fight the what-ifs or whether or not I am making the right decisions. My husband left me 10 months ago after 6 years (now 7) of marriage with our 5 year old and 2 year old. He can’t/will not decide if he wants to file for divorce or try to work things out. I never wanted this, and everyday is struggle. He is barely seeing the kids, and their little hearts are broken. I chose to fall on my knees before God, and make a relationship with Him that I never had before. I want to obey God. It is so hard to have hope when I never know what each day is going to look at. Thank you for the tips. I so very needed this.



    • Tracie on Friday, February 10, 2017 at 11:54 am

      Chanda – Im so sorry for what you’re going through, especially with little ones. Please know I’ll be praying for you and your family and for God to bring restoration and healing as He sees fit that is in the best interest of you and your sweet children’s future.



    • Dani on Tuesday, February 14, 2017 at 11:58 pm

      Having gone thru this same situation in the 80s, when my kids were 3 and 2, I’d recommend Dr. James Dobson’s book, Love Must Be Tough. There’s a bit in there about this very thing. Everything God says he will do in the Bible, I promise you he will do it for you. Read the Psalms and insert your name for a pronoun, and pray it. If he doesn’t push for a divorce, don’t ask for it. Everyday ask God to help you forgive your husband. Lance Armstrong’s ex-wife wrote an excellent book on this and your library may have it.



  9. Neal Bliven on Friday, February 10, 2017 at 11:24 am

    Tracie, I recommend the following book (it will help your readers to “stop looking for neon signs from above” in the sense of accepting no imitations nor substitutions for actual revelations from God):

    Title: Decision Making and The Will of God
    Subtitle: A Biblical Alternative to the Traditional View
    Author(s): Garry Friesen, with Robin Maxson
    Pages: 430



  10. Linda on Friday, February 10, 2017 at 1:33 pm

    Hi after reading your message and the replies I realised I’m not the only person going through this but it also saddens me that we as women need help now as we aren’t strong I guess I’m not there yet only comfort is if we going through a lot we must be able to do it or God would step in quicker
    Linda H



  11. lc on Friday, February 10, 2017 at 7:33 pm

    My heart is still full of love for you and what you’ve been through and are dealing with. Because of what happened in my life 5+ years ago, I knew in my spirit what you were facing when you took a break to heal and take care of yourself and children. I prayed for you when I wasn’t able to pray for myself and all I lost. I can say from my personal experience and in spite of my poor and foolish decisions since my unwanted and unexpected divorce, the Lord has never left me. I’m so grateful for Him never rejecting me. He has been faithful, merciful and gracious to me. He has been my strength, comforter and constant companion. Now, He will use you to help so many hurting and lost women. He will work it for your good. Blessings sweet and beautiful woman of God!



  12. Terri on Friday, February 10, 2017 at 7:35 pm

    This post spoke to me as well… and that I was guided to it today! I have been grieving & struggling with “hard decisions “, courage to face them & act. My marriage is broken.. together since we were 17 yrs old, 34 years…, my last child leaves the nest this year, & now our home to be sold as well. I have felt so abandoned, fearful of an unknown future, where to go, divorce, empty nest & try so hard to give these worries to God. To pray, to have faith & find hope in this life I seem to have no control over. Your message resonates with me. I try to find the words to pray for guidance, wisdom, clarity & faith.. I pray God sees my heart.



  13. Frances on Saturday, February 11, 2017 at 1:20 am

    Your post today truly resonated with me. I have been struggling with “what to do” for almost a year now. So afraid of making the wrong decision, going in the wrong direction, making another career change after completing school and now physically asking myself what was it all for? I pray for guidance. My field is so physically challenging and terribly under valued in pay.
    Thank you for your post, I will continue to pray and reflect on the fact that I am not alone!



  14. Tracy on Saturday, February 11, 2017 at 2:04 pm

    I’ve been fighting the what if’s and God help me direction since 2013 and then in 2016 an emotional break down from all the things out of my control but I took them on as my own. My Dr says BPD and my kids says just ADHD my main DR says, just loose weight our husbands are the same, she says she’s a Christian. My hubby says his church is outside he totally against the buildings a and has his own words I can’t say. My body has been physically I’ll since 1999 with AS back vertebrae fusing together and then Fibromyalgia or before CFS they knew what to call it. My hubby Colon cancer 2002 March and August Smoldering Multiple Myeloma they said I’d be a widow. Over the year as we get older he 9 yrs older then me. You go though life thinking head down and get through. I’m tired of this going around this mountain. God I NEED to hear and see Your direction again. Thank you TRACIE for in my heart I feel God is speaking and I will be able to move forward.



    • Tracy on Saturday, February 11, 2017 at 2:07 pm

      God has kept my husbands MM smoldering to since 2002 but every 6 month check ups.



      • Tracy on Saturday, February 11, 2017 at 2:10 pm

        Bought it and can’t wait to read it.



    • Tracy on Saturday, February 11, 2017 at 2:08 pm

      Bought it and can’t wait to read it.



  15. Dani on Tuesday, February 14, 2017 at 11:28 pm

    And then again, sometimes God does actually give you a neon sign. I had been divorced 5 years, had not dated, when I asked God if I was always going to be alone. A name lit up in my mind and looked just like a neon sign. 11 years later, on 11-11, while I was driving, I felt like I was at the beach and an ocean wave was going over me. It happened repeatedly and each time the Holy Spirit said his nickname – which was all I had known for over a year – and that he was W, the name of the man I had been given so many years ago.



  16. win_mag300@icloud.com on Monday, March 20, 2017 at 11:37 pm

    WOOOOOOW!!!!! What you said about trusting God with our decisions was beautiful its like God is on a role with me this week. After reading your book ” Your life still counts” I began to let God into my life more. And today in the midst of my finding understanding he places you right here again. Something happened to me 5 months ago and being that I was growing in my spiritual path with God all I could do was everything you just said
    “I chose to pray, and ask God to help me stop stressing over not knowing the future. The future is in His hands, regardless of the decisions I make.
    I chose to stop stressing over whether my decisions were right or wrong, and believe He would be with me either way.
    I chose to stop obsessing over worst-case or what-if scenarios, and focus my energies and thoughts on the potential positives instead.
    I chose to remind myself not to think negatively every time one of those nagging, worrisome thoughts bubbled back up to the surface. Reject them, move on.
    I chose to trust God. Because that’s really the only choice I have. He is in control, and I am not.”
    But than yesterday after a day of confirmations from the Lord and amazing promises I was hit with me choosing to overthink if I made the right decisions and the what ifs and at the moment I finally broke down and cried all night but as I cried and tried to tell myself that he is with me and he is all I need and that his grace is enough I felt a warm embrace as if someone was holding me. this was just another confirmation in writing this time, to keep going and to start where I left off because I was doing good and this is just another small speed bump.



Headshot Flipped 2

Tracie Miles is a bestselling author and the Director of COMPEL Training with Proverbs 31 Ministries.  She helps women grow stronger in their faith, pursue the life of purpose God designed them for and live a life of peace, joy and happiness despite their circumstances.

Living-Unbroken-3DwithShadow

Available Now!

Subscribe to Tracie’s Blog

Receive the Living Unbroken Battle Plan Workbook for free if you subscribe to Tracie’s blog today!
Something went wrong. Please check your entries and try again.

Tracie's Books