Life is wonderful but can also be perplexing, complex, and challenging. Often, we find ourselves asking ourselves unanswerable questions. We all need help at one time or another. The smart person seeks help from family and friends, and the really smart person prays and asks God for help. We all know that the Bible offers support and guidance. Still, humans tend to forget and revert to thinking we are in charge and can handle the circumstances. We make the mistake of placing our abilities and knowledge ahead of God. By doing this, we lower our guard, and the Devil marches in and helps us make all kinds of poor decisions. How many times have we looked back on that brilliant decision and realized how stupid it was.
Proverbs 3:5 tells us to “trust in the Lord with all our heart and do not lean on our own understanding.” We all think we know more than we actually do, which usually gets us into trouble. Our knowledge, education, and experiences are all good things to use when making decisions, but having faith in our prayers and patience is always a wise choice. Philippians 4:6 affirms this idea by stating we should not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your request be known to God.” This verse suggests that we should seek God’s guidance in all our decisions, big and small. God may not talk directly to you, and you and your friends may not hear a loud voice, but you will receive guidance if you allow God time to respond. And if you are paying attention.
Unfortunately, we do not pay attention or listen to that quiet voice that tries to guide us. We often allow the loud, obnoxious voice in our head to cause problems. God will not make decisions for you. The devils and our free will are always there to send us down the wrong road. James 1:5 reminds us that we lack wisdom, so we should “ask God for help. God gives generously to all without reproach.” If we remember to ask God for guidance and knowledge, he will not leave us unequipped to make sound decisions. This is reaffirmed in Second Timothy 3:16, where we are reminded that all scripture is from God and well worth our time to learn from, teach to others, and be trained for righteousness.
Proverbs 11:14 states, “Where there is no guidance a people fall, but in an abundance of counselors there is safety.” This statement has often been used in different studies, restated to fit circumstances, and as an excuse. Examples are a ship without a rudder, following a path without direction, and making your own path. The key to making Proverbs 11:14 successful is finding good and reliable information. This is very important in receiving good counsel as well as giving good counsel.
Proverbs 16:9 states, “The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps.” We must allow God to help us choose our steps. We must be sure how our hearts and minds are trying to direct us. Receiving and giving good counsel is not always easy. Some folks do not have your best interest at heart and may provide ill advice. As parents, we want the best for our children, but even the best parents sometimes give the wrong direction. When we ask for counsel and guidance, be sure to know the source and their credibility. Being a counselor as a friend, parent, or professional is a very honorable and high position that should be given proper authority before taking action. People in crisis, young people, and people confused by life events are vulnerable. Their defenses are weak, and their thought process may not be at its best. Counsel and advice need to be based on known truths, supported by prayer, and given with only the best intentions. Information that is being shared should be designed to help solve a problem. No person should try to give directions or impose upon someone’s point of view. A person giving counsel should assist the person in finding their own solutions and never advocate what those solutions should be. No person can live another person’s circumstances and know precisely what should be done. Guidance and subtle conversation to help people make their own decisions is wise. Positive counsel and guidance will help the person make thoughtful choices, teach responsibility, control the circumstances, and maintain self-respect and control.
We should always be ready to give, accept good counsel, and recognize proper guidance. We should also be aware and cautious when sharing and receiving counsel and advice. Counsel and guidance should be given under God’s directions and for the right and proper reasons. We are warned in Matthew 6:1-34, “Beware of practicing your righteousness before other people to be seen by them, for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven. ‘Thus, when you give to the needy, sound no trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may be praised by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you give to people in need, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so your giving may be secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you. ‘And when you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites. They love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, so that others may see them. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward.”