Have you ever been at a place in your life where you weren’t sure exactly what to do and you really needed the Father’s help? Have you ever found yourself begging God to give you the answer on which way to go, what to do, or what to say in a given situation? We have all had times like that. I know I sure have. Recently, I have been put in a situation where I have had to make some very difficult decisions, decisions that will affect my entire future. As I was walking the track, like I do every night after dinner, I found myself begging the Father to reveal to me exactly what I needed to do in this situation.

“Father, I want to do your will. I fear your name. I don’t want to live by what looks logical anymore. What should I do? Should I do this or do that? This is huge, Lord. The decision I have to make is a very big one. Please give me wisdom, Lord.”

Have you ever said a prayer that sounded like that? Well, I was a mile into my five-mile walk and I must have prayed that prayer a hundred times in fifty different ways. Then Blake came out and joined me like he normally does. We talk about the Lord the entire time and drash through all kinds of things. He asked me what was going on and I told him what was happening today and what decisions I have to make. I told him that just like the hundred other major decisions I have had to make since I’ve been here, I now have to make another one. I finished giving him all the details and he responded as if he was the Holy Spirit Himself when he said, “Pastor, it’s not about what you should do. It’s about what should you believe.” He went on to talk for a whole lap. I didn’t hear anything after that and couldn’t tell you a single word he said. The only thing I heard was, “It’s not about what you should do. It’s about what you should believe.”

This simple but profound statement immediately made my spirit jump and stand up straight. A peace came over me and took me back to the dozens and dozens of visions, dreams and simple promises that Yahweh had given me about my future and about the ministry. Blake quickly reminded me of that simple statement that there was no need to fret, worry or be anxious. We already knew this was going to happen. Yahweh had prophesied a dozen times things that were already happening.

So in reality, why did I need to be anxious? Why worry when we already know what the end looks like? We already know that our hearts will be tested and faith put to the ultimate test by looking at giants face-to-face to see if they will flinch. When the Israelites were spying out the land, did it come down to “What do we do?” No. It came down to “What are we going to believe?” Are the giants too big for Yahweh to keep His word and His promises of what He chose to do with us, or do we have the faith to believe in what He said?

In our lives, we all are brought to a place – it seems like frequently – where we are trying to figure out what to do and the Spirit is trying to get us to figure out what we believe. When we come to that crisis of belief and the crossroads of decision, are we going to be filled with anxiety, fear, and doubt, worried about which way to go? Or are we going to believe in Him so much that we know He has our best interest at heart and there is simply no way to be out of His will if we stay in the humble place of wanting to know what He wants for us so badly that we seek Him dearly for it?

The Scriptures tell us to cast our cares upon Him, to not be anxious about anything, to not worry about tomorrow because today has enough worries of its own and to simply trust Him with our most intimate needs. When we are pressed to make a decision, the real question is, “Have we prepared our heart to hear from Him, to receive an answer?” Have we spent enough time in prayer and fasting, just sitting quietly in His presence to feel and hear that still, small voice? Did you know that the number one thing Yeshua desires from us is just to spend quality time with us? He’s our spouse and He loves to be with His Bride.

Sometimes we spend so much time in our anxious thoughts that we don’t stop long enough to just sit and listen…to “be still and know He is God.” He speaks to our spirit man, not our soul. If we are so anxious and uptight about what to do, our spirit man is overruled and cannot download what the Spirit is actually trying to say. When we quiet our soul and sit on the lap of Papa, our spirit can be released to fully connect with Him. You may not hear anything or feel anything, but trust me, your inner man is downloading and listening to every word He says. Then, what oftentimes happens is things begin to fall into place and situations begin to solve themselves. Choices begin to be eliminated and you’re really not DOING much of anything. You are simply going in the direction you feel most inclined to go in but moving very slowly and cautiously. And all the while your spiritual eyes and ears are wide open, listening for any “check” in your spirit, any lack of peace being generated. If the Father gives you a specific word, He will confirm it with signs following. Always.

The Father knows we speak a different language than He does and the language barrier is frustrating for both of us. We are frustrated that He doesn’t just send us an email telling us what to do, and He is frustrated that His angels are yelling at the top of their lungs, manipulating situations, dropping hints, and showing you scriptures and we are oblivious to it all. Dumb as a box of rocks. I would not want to be my guardian angel, that’s for sure.

In any case, the next time you are really pressed to make a decision, don’t make it out of logic. Take it to the Father and see what He has to say in the quiet place, when it’s just you and Him. Begin by faith, thanking Him for bringing into the earth realm what already exists where He is. Begin to call what is not as if it already is. Faith and belief is what moves Him to bring His promises to pass. Don’t focus so much on what it is you should do, but put your energy and focus on what you believe about Him. Stop looking for the answer and remember that the Spirit IS the answer. When we fully comprehend that He already has the answer and is working on it on our behalf, asking only of us to just stay within the guardrails of His word and believe, that is the point where it really doesn’t matter how big the storm is. Because as long as we stay in the middle of it where the winds are calm, the sun is shining, and our spirit is picking up on the subtle breezes from His heart to ours, every step will be ordained without you even knowing how it happened. Smile and remember how much of a Father He really is. He is so impressed that you would fear Him so much as to fret about not being outside of His will that that automatically puts you INSIDE His will. The answer will present itself. But only in the center of the storm. Quiet yourself before Him. Crawl out of the raging winds and smile as you soak up the warmth of His presence. Stop asking what to do and remember in whom you believe.

Shalom,
Jim Staley