“Let the peace of Christ [the inner calm of one who walks daily with Him] be the controlling factor in your hearts [deciding and settling questions that arise]…” Colossians 3:15 AMP
Some of the biggest mistakes I’ve seen people make happen when they choose to ignore that “check” they get in their spirit when faced with a decision. You know the feeling. When everything on the outside looks promising or looks good on paper, but something on the inside just refuses to line up, and even feels somewhat….sour.
We’ve all done it. Ignored that “little voice” that is trying so desperately to steer us in the other direction. And so, we go ahead and make that financial investment, only to have it backfire. Or we say yes to going out with a certain group of people and end up at the wrong place at the wrong time, compromising our convictions. Or sometimes, we even say yes to a relationship we don’t have peace about, only to learn the painful experience of having to pickup the pieces.
Nine times out of ten, when we reflect on those poor decisions, we can think back to a time when we felt that “check” and we wish we would have just listened. Friends, that is none other than the presence of God – warning us, calling to us, allowing us to feel the discomfort of the absence of His peace so that we can recognize we’re going in the wrong direction.
Peace is one of the most reliable indicators of knowing we are in God’s will.
And when we choose to move forward in the absence of peace, we forfeit our confidence in any decision making process. Our minds and hearts and no longer guarded against anxiety and worry and we instead train ourselves to be double minded in all our ways. Yes, God sometimes in His mercy makes up for our faults. He’s so gracious, kind, loving and patient, isn’t He? But there is a much better way to live!
I love the way the Amplified Bible captures the heart of Philippians 4:6-7. Give particular attention to the words I’ve bolded here:
“Do not be anxious or worried about anything, but in everything [every circumstance and situation] by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, continue to make your [specific] requests known to God. 7 And the peace of God [that peace which reassures the heart, that peace] which transcends all understanding, [that peace which] stands guard over your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus [is yours].”
Chances are, whether sometime this week or even this month, we will all have to make decisions. Sometimes those decisions are no-brainers. Other times, they’re challenging. I just want to encourage you, when you come to that fork in the road, go in the direction where you sense more peace. This is one of the primary ways God communicates to us. Listen to that “little Voice” inside your heart and continue to ask God in prayer for divine guidance. He is faithful to give it.
Linda G Riddle 