Why Being At Peace With a Decision Isn’t Always A Good Thing

April 10, 2012 — 10 Comments

There’s no doubt that some decisions are bigger than others and we’ve all had our share of big “do I or don’t I” decisions to make. However, being at peace with a decision isn’t always a good thing.

We pray about it.

We seek wise counsel.

We labour through the thought process.

We create a pros and cons list.

We weigh our options.

Sometimes we agonize over which way to go.

Then, after all of the above, and more, we come to a decision that we say we are “at peace” with and we start to take the steps needed for follow-up — and step right off the edge of the cliff.

Consider the following two contrasting illustrations from the Bible…

Jonah was not anywhere near where God wanted him yet he was peacefully asleep in the midst of a raging storm.

Remember the story? God had clearly commanded him to go and take a message to the city of Ninevah. Instead Jonah chose to do his own thing and set off in almost the exact opposite direction of Ninevah on a ship. An incredibly gusty storm arises, he is tossed overboard, and swallowed alive by the big fish. After a rather enlightening dialogue with God in the most surreal of surroundings, the fish spits him out on the beach right where (I’d like to think) he was when God first commissioned him for Ninevah.

God says to Jonah, “Now… let’s try this again.”

Jesus couldn’t have been more squarely where God wanted him yet he was painfully agonizing in the Garden of Gethsemane.

Remember the story? Jesus knew what lay ahead of him:

  • An incredibly bogus criminal arrest
  • Desertion by his closest friends
  • Ongoing, inhumane beatings and torture
  • Wrongful imprisonment and unsubstantiated, libellous allegations
  • Public shame and humiliation
  • Death by one of history’s harshest and most cruel methods

God hears from Jesus, “It is finished.”

God intends to use hardship, trials, and suffering to accomplish his purpose however he pleases; he’s God and we are not. Don’t misunderstand me — the right decision won’t always necessarily be the hardest to accomplish. However, don’t oppose the clearly revealed oracles of God to follow a path of lesser resistance.

Have you ever over-spiritualized a decision you were making by saying you’d pray about it, all the while ignoring the Scripture’s crystal clear command to do it regardless?

  • “My wife and I are praying about getting a divorce.” God hates divorce.
  • “I’m praying about dating this unsaved guy.” Don’t be unequally yoked.
  • “I am asking God for wisdom about becoming a member at my church.” Don’t forsake assembling yourselves together.
  • “I prayed about not serving anywhere in my local church and I’m at peace with the decision not to.” I know… but this really happens.

We need to at least be aware that being at peace with a decision might just mean we need to grow up — in our faith and understanding of the plan of God for our life. The strongest metals are tempered by the hottest fires and the purest gold is refined in the hottest furnaces.

“But what about Isaiah 26:3, where it talks about having perfect peace” you might ask…

“You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You.”

Exactly… perfect peace — true peace, godly peace — comes to those whose minds are grounded in and built upon God, and we do this through the Word of God. We cannot know the will of God aside from the Word of God.

Grow up in your faith. Do the things that are clearly laid out. Then, some of those big “do I or don’t I” decisions  – Which job do I take? Whom should I marry? Where do I go to college? — will become a lot easier to make.

Bottom line: What decision are you in the process of making right now that may be outside of Scripture’s parameters? Will you commit to bring clarity to the situation by aligning yourself with and applying God’s Word, regardless of any challenges the outcome may bring? Please leave your comments below.

Posted on April 10, 2012 In Local Church, Non-Profits, Personal Development , , , , , , ,
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  • Johnpowley

    Thank you for addressing this Charlie. Before I even started reading I was thinking “I prayed about it” is often the popular euphemism for “I already made up my mind about what I wanted to do” when it comes to decisions that seem to be contrary to clear scriptural teachings.

    • http://www.charlielyons.ca/ Charlie Lyons

      Exactly, John. I know I’ve done that at various times. Thanks for reading and commenting. I appreciate your content so much as well. Blessings my Pennsylvania brother. :)

  • Drmichelemarieburke1

    Well done, Charlie! If more Christians really meditated on the Word they would be better able to make decisions applying God’s Word in their circumstance. The real issue is head knowledge vs heart conversion. Easy to call oneself Christian, more challenging to walk that out. Thanks for the post. God bless!

    • http://www.charlielyons.ca/ Charlie Lyons

      I agree wholeheartedly. Most of us easily observe and interpret Scripture but fall short of real life application. God’s plan isn’t merely behaviour modification but heart change.

      Thanks for reading and commenting. I hope you’ll come again soon. :)

  • Chris Fox

    Repent to Father - believe in Christ Jesus -receive from Holy Spirit is a model from baptism that I use to make decisions.

    The first check (repent) is this kingdom based or fleshly desires and is it in line with the Father’s purpose and the purpose he gave me in life. It may be righteous to do it but is it a priority for me given the purpose he has given me. This way it is possible to say decide not to do something even if righteous to make great decisions based on a the4 best use of my time, God given talent etc. There are many decisions I can be responsible for making myself once I know his will and purpose for my life and don’t need to keep looking for guidance on. I would be alarmed if my kids kept looking for guidance on things they are now responsible for and know how to do the way I like it done.

    The second check (believe) is this the right-way, the way, in Christ by his word. Have I ran it by someone who is wise in the faith? If we need wisdom we only need ask and God will provide. Wisdom comes form understanding God’s word and how it is applied.

    Third check (receive) has God confirmed my deliberations and having done all the previous checks am I left with peace if not go back through the checks. God loves to affirm his ways with attesting miracles – eg growth. As paul says we can plant seed and even water but only God can make things grow.

  • http://twitter.com/Ilslandlee Ilslandlee

    The challenge to follow scripture exclusively (ea Christ) assumes that there is a competent knowledge of scripture about the topic. 
    You see the whole assumption that we are able to find Christ’s will for our self by our self and Christ is an erroneous heresy.
    We are made by God to be like God.  The doctrine of the trinity is exposed as a doctrine of the church in Christ’s prayer that we would be one like God is one.  God is three different personalities in complete submissive unity and that is how He wants us to be.
     Let’s look at 2 Peter 1:19-2019We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts:
    20Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation.
    In the book of Corinthians Paul clearly states that we are not all the same part of the body of Christ.
    May I suggest, first pray that Christ reveals the appropriate scriptures to you with a few trusted Christian friends.  In addition, if you don’t have a few close Christian friends that should be your first area to seek God’s will.

  • Bobbyfrancis

    Wow! Great thoughts Charlie. We would save ourselves SO much grief and anguish down the road if we would take the time to stop trying to come up with “good” plans (that we then often ask or expect God to bless).

    • http://www.charlielyons.ca/ Charlie Lyons

       Agreed, Bobby. We do spend a lot of time seeking God’s approval on our agendas, don’t we? :)

  • Jacquie

    Some things in life are meant to be hard, tempering our spirit and character in the furnace of Gods pure love. Only way to get there is through Gods word and our willingness to obey and believe the inerrancy of His word. I find I appreciate more, in a different way, the things that require more of me than the path of least resistance. When I get to the other side I’m rejoicing!

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