If you’re like me, you are probably-right this moment-facing a situation of conflict, change or uncertainty and have no clue what should be done about it. Though I have grown used to these sorts of dilemmas over the past few years, I continue to fight for solutions and quick-fixes, leaving me hopeless and frustrated. It’s times like these that tempt me to shut down, pushing everyone away as I calculate useless remedies in my head.
So this morning, as I battled through conflict and considered the comfort of retreating to despondency as a means of protection, I began to consider how the Lord would respond to each of my pitifully fleeting emotions. What on earth am I supposed to do when I have no idea what I’m supposed to do? Here’s how it looked:
Me: Maybe I’ll just lay low and not leave the house. I don’t want to see or talk to anyone right now.
God: Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up! (Ecclesiastes 4:9-12)
Me: This situation is so hopeless. I’m trying to humble myself, but I’m so bitter. I’m dumbfounded- what am I supposed to do?
God: You will not need to fight in this battle. Stand firm, hold your position, and see the salvation of the LORD on your behalf… (2 Chronicles 20:17)
Me: This is clearly a sign I shouldn’t extend myself into any opportunities right now. Maybe I just need to wait until I have things more under control.
God: But for this purpose I have raised you up, to show you my power, so that my name may be proclaimed in all the earth. (Exodus 9:16)
Me: It just doesn’t seem like anything is changing! I’m so tired of these ups and downs. I just want to stop trying.
God: Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert. (Isaiah 43:19)
Me: I feel embarrassed that I struggle like this in the first place. I’m probably the last person on the planet that should be involved in ministry. I should just keep to myself.
God: How then will they call on Him in whom they have not believed? How will they believe in Him whom they have not heard? And how will they hear without a preacher? How will they preach unless they are sent? Just as it is written, “HOW BEAUTIFUL ARE THE FEET OF THOSE WHO BRING GOOD NEWS OF GOOD THINGS!” (Romans 10:14-15)
Me: Okay, I get it. But just tell me what I’m supposed to do!
God: Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth! (Psalm 46:10)
What to do when you don’t know what to do? For me, it’s doing the opposite of what I’m feeling at that moment: be in community, close my mouth and let God handle the battle, toss aside my pride to humble myself, expect God to move, press on towards the upward call of Christ, proclaim the gospel (for this is a beautiful thing), and most importantly, sit tight and wait for the Lord- he will glorify himself through this situation (which in turn is also good for me) and I need only to cease striving.