Guidance When We Need Direction

I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you and watch over you. ~Psalm 32:8 (NIV)

Have you ever lost your way? Not geographically, but mentally and emotionally. One grey morning while eating my bowl of cream of buckwheat with strawberries, my thoughts grew frantic like the clouds forming outside the window. I sat debating whether I go to the gym or start a project. I chided myself for my indecisiveness. Another thing bugging me was a much bigger problem for which I needed discernment. Finally, I prayed. “Lord, I need Your help. Guide me.” In front of me sat my rolodex with the verse of the day. I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel
you and watch over you. Psalm 32:8

God tells us He will ‘instruct’ or give us insight. He will ‘teach’ or instruct us in a
direction, and He will ‘counsel’ by giving us advice. God will even ‘watch’ over us. He
can do that through prayer, His word, through godly people, or circumstances that align
with His truth. At that moment I prayed and believed God would instruct me.

I sensed that I really wanted to start a project rather than go to the gym, so I proceeded
in preparing the things I needed. Later afternoon, I was searching for something in my attic and happened to flip through an old journal. Inside, I found a card and a scrap of
paper with someone’s name on it. My thoughts sped with amazement. Just hours ago, I
had prayed about the person written on the slip of paper! The card’s message read,
“God’s timing is perfect; follow Him.” This was a direct answer to the larger situation for
which I needed an answer. Relief flooded my heart as I realized God answered my
prayer using the contents from a journal I hadn’t looked at in years.

Show me your ways, O Lord, teach me your paths; guide me in your truth and
teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long. ~Psalm 25:4-5 (NIV)

When we ask God to show us what decision or direction to make, He often will use
circumstances to support His word. God answers our prayers uniquely. At times God is
silent and the waiting can stretch our faith however, we can still trust that God is at
work. Our hope in God is what counts. Nothing is too small or big for Him. What do you
need? A doctor’s skill, wisdom in purchasing an item, or appropriate words to
communicate after a conflict with a family member?

Wait on the Lord, and He will counsel you.

Lord, thank You that You are trustworthy to guide my way in the big and the small. Help
me to have listening ears and be watchful. I rely on You to teach me and instruct my heart. Direct my path today. Amen.