What If?

Saturday February 28, 2015

In a recent email, a woman named Renee told me how she and her husband had unsuccessfully spent years trying to start a family. After numerous rounds of in vitro fertilisation treatment and several years waiting to adopt, they were exhausted from the ordeal and considered bringing the journey to an end. Knowing that my wife and I had walked a similar path, Renee asked a question, "How do you give up on a dream of parenthood without regretting what might have been?"

As I started to share some advice, I realised something else was lurking behind Renee´s question. I told her that her fear could be summed up this way : "If we make the wrong decision, will our lives be ruined?"

I think that´s what we all fear when making a major life decision. We give way to worry, and "what if" questions haunt us : "What if a call from the adoption agency was only another day away?" "What if another potential spouse never comes along?" "What if I choose the wrong career?" We fear our lives will be ruined if we don´t make the perfect decision.

I shared with Renee the liberating news that the answer to her fearful question was a resounding "NO!" If we head in the wrong direction, God can still turn us around (Proverbs 3:5-6). If the dream dies before God chooses to act, He can resurrect it (John 11:23-44). Paul says that in this imperfect world "God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God" (Romans 8:28; see also vv. 18-23). If we love Him, He can make even a poor decision fit into the tapestry of our lives.

"Your life will not be over if you choose to end your search for a family," I told Renee. "Trust Him to take you somewhere new; whatever you decide." - Sheridan Voysey

Read 
Romans 8:18-28
I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. The creation waits in eager expectation for the sons of God to be revealed. For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the glorious freedom of the children of God.
We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the first fruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what he already has? But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.
In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God´s will.
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

James 1:5
If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.

Philippians 4:6-7
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Proverbs 11:14
For the lack of guidance a nation falls,
but many advisers make victory sure.

Question To Ponder
How do you make decisions? 
How can you trust God even when things don´t go according to your plans?

**Article taken from ODJ (Our Daily Journey with God) Dec 2014 - Feb 2015 issue