Psalms 90:12 So teach us to number our days, That we may gain a heart of wisdom.
There is a character trait that all human beings have, probably because of the fall, that we have terrible timing when it comes to making decisions, when those decisions are made in the pinnacle of emotion.
The husband who decides to end his marriage while he and his wife are in the middle of an argument.
The young lady who becomes intimate with her boyfriend as she is overwhelmed by emotion.
The decision to move to a new location because of a hurt or disappointment.
The purchase of something that we just have to have.
All these decisions are often regretted later on. We later realize that the only reason that we made these decisions was that we were overcome by our emotions, in despair over a hurt, or were angry and not in control of that anger.
Even at 55 years old, I still make many wrong decisions. I suppose that I will continue to do so until the Lord comes for me. At least the bad decisions are fewer than when I was younger and I am living to see the fruit of thinking things through and praying before make the wrong choices.
Philippians 4:6-7 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
It is in those moments when we feel overwhelmed that our anxious emotions begin to take over. The Holy Spirit encourages us in Philippians 4:6-7 to take all of that energy that is required to worry and feel anxious, and transfer it into a heartfelt cry to God in prayer. The promise is that if we will pray instead of worry, that the Holy Spirit will “guard our heart” and give us peace in those moments of stress.
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 shall direct your paths.
Proverbs 3:5-6 is of special interest because it directs us to stop and seek the Lord FIRST before we make that final decision. “Lord this is how I feel, but I know that I cannot trust my feelings, what do you want for me to do…?” The promise is that if we will first seek the Lord with ALL of our heart, and not try to reason in our own human understanding, He will direct our paths.
Ephesians 4:26-27 “Be angry, and do not sin”: do not let the sun go down on your wrath… nor give place to the devil.
Finally, when we get angry, that emotion in and of itself is not a sin. It is when we take our anger and act on it in such a way that we commit sin, that the anger itself becomes sin. We can naturally feel angry when someone hurts us or uses us. What we do next determines whether or not we are right or wrong. The Bible encourages us to pray for the person who hurt and used us… What! pray for the person who did the damage?
Yes, and here is why: When you make a willing effort to honestly pray for someone that has hurt or used you, then you are set free from future anger and bitterness. If you hold on to the anger and imagine that this person would come to harm, you are only hurting yourself. That un-forgiveness and anger will turn to bitterness inside your heart and eventually make you sick, or worse, ruin your health and bring an early end to your life.
Matthew 5:43-45 (Jesus Speaking) “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.
Every decision made today in haste has long lasting consequences in the future. Better to slow down and really think about the present situation that you find yourself in and then pray. Pray with all of your heart and really seek the Lord. He promised to come to help you make the right decision and assist you with obtaining the right outcome. If you have made wrong decisions in the past like I have, know that the Lord is very patient, merciful and forgiving. He will mend your broken heart. Fix your messed up life, and change your entire situation over time. If you will give Him plenty of time to do so.
Ecclesiastes 3:11 He has made everything beautiful in its time.
Rob Robinson
