The Dilemma of Indecisiveness: What to do when you don't know what to do

This passage is an excerpt from the poem, "The Road Not Taken", by Robert Frost:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.

This quote came to mind and I wanted to share with all who might have to make an
important decision today. Perhaps the decision you have to make is so major, that its
life changing and things might never be the same again. Or perhaps, you have been
given the responsibility to make a decision, not for yourself, but on the behalf of
another person(s). The pressures associated with making that kind decision might
even weigh on you even harder, because you want to make absolutely sure you are
doing the right thing on the behalf of other people.

There are times in our lives when we just don't know what to do. But nevertheless,
we are faced with the task of making choices - sometimes difficult choices, life
impacting choices. In fact, when we really think about it, we make choices every day
of our lives. Making choices is part of the human experience we call life.
Sometimes the choices we have to make are easy and what we sometimes hear
referred to as a "no-brainer", what to eat, and what to drink, etc." Then there are times
in our lives when we are faced with a real "dilemma", i.e., a situation where there is
no "easy choice" or "clear cut" solution. The problem is even further complicated as
we consider the effect or total impact of our choices including: "Domino" effect,
"Chain" reaction, and/or a Synergistic/Systematic/Interdependent relationship.
These factors are not always apparent prior to making complex decisions.

But thanks be to God, who is the Alpha and Omega, the All-knowing, All seeing, All
wise, and Almighty God, who is greater than anything: any situation, any problem,
condition, any dilemma, and any decision we will ever have to make in this life.
ANYTHING! And thanks be to God for the precious Holy Spirit, who resides on the
inside of every believer. He is the "greater One" living inside of us (cf. 1John 4:4);
He is that treasure in earthen vessels (cf. 2 Cor 4:7). He is our Helper and Intercessor
in the time of need. He is God, with us and in us, right now. He is very present help in
the time of need (cf. Ps. 46:1). Praise our God, Hallelujah!!!

Consider our poem by Robert Frost about two roads. Both roads lead unto the
wilderness. Both seemed the same except that one road was traveled on much less
than the other. Logic would say, the one most traveled, the most popular, was the
best choice for means of traveling. But the Bible does not support that thesis. Our
Saviour, our Deliverer, Jesus Christ, had to make some tough choices, being both
human and divine. Jesus knew He was born to die for lost humanity. He knew that He

AWFTL2014
 The Dilemma of Indecisiveness: What to do when you don't know what to do

came into this world, not to call the righteous, but sinners to repent. He knew that he
would have to face a major decision point in the garden of Gethsemane when He
prayed to His Father before His arrest that night. Jesus chose not to call upon 10,000
legions of angels to spare Him from the moment of pain and public shame. He chose
to be silent, when standing in Pilates court. He chose to carry that old, rugged cross,
the instrument of death and shame. And He also chose to walk up the hill called
Calvary. That is what I think about most of all when I read the poem by Robert Frost.
Jesus made choices all of His life. I am so glad He did not take the path of least
resistance. I am so glad that He chose the "road less traveled". In fact, Jesus is the
ONLY man that ever chose the path of leading up to the cross. He chose the "straight
and narrow" path. Matt 7:14, says Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way,
which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it."

Jesus not only chose the path, but He made the way available for you and I to receive
eternal life by choosing to live a life of total and perfect submission to the Father.
Jesus is not just "a way". Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life. He is
the ONLY way to the Father. (John 14:5 (KJV), paraphrased).

And because Jesus (who was both human and divine) became flesh, resisted
temptation(s) and lived a perfect life upon the earth, He realizes our dilemma. He has
empathy for us and truly cares for us with a love so powerful that nothing can
separate us from God's love. Nothing.

Paul said it best in Romans 8:38-39, "For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life,
nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to
come, 39 Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us
from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Jesus chose to give His life freely and overcame sin, death, and the grave; just for you
and just for me. He loved us just that much. Imagine, He loved the world just that
much. Jesus is, right now, seated at the right hand of God, making intercession for us
according to Hebrews 4:15:

"For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our
infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin."

Here are five things we can do when we dont know what to do:

1. Seek God for wisdom and knowledge (James 1:5)

2. Pray without ceasing (1 Thess 5:18)

AWFTL2014
 The Dilemma of Indecisiveness: What to do when you don't know what to do

3. Be still, and wait for God (Ps 46;10, Isaiah 40:31)

4. Trust and believe God for the answer (1 John 5:14-15)

5. Acknowledge God and be willing to submit to Him. (Prov 3:6)

Prayer for Guidance

I need thee, O, I need thee.
Lord I believe, Help my unbelief. (Mark 9:24)
Help me to be still and know you are God. (Ps 45:10)
Help me Lord, to acknowledge you in all of my ways. (Prov 3:6)
Lead me to the Rock that is higher than I (Ps 61:2).

Thank you Lord, for being my Rock, my shield, my fortress. (Ps 18:2)
A present help in the time of trouble. (Ps 46:1).
Guide my footsteps and help me to remain anchored to Thee, and thee alone.
Draw me nearer, for in thee does my heart seek; in thee do I put my trust. (Ps 9:2)
I rejoice in your precepts and your statutes; I desire you more than my necessary food.
My soul thirsteth for the Living God, in a dry and a thirsty land. (Ps 63:1; 42:2)

At this time of decision, O Lord, I come to thee, seeking your wisdom. (James 1:5).
For wisdom is the principle thing. (Prov 4:7)
Teach me your way; lead me in a "plain" path.
I am facing a decision and I acknowledge I do not know what to do.
So, I seek your divine guidance; I do not choose to lean on my own understanding.
(Prov 3:5)
Give me ears to hear and eyes to see so that when you speak to me I will answer You.
I will say like Samuel, "Yes Lord, speak for your servant hears you..." (1 Sam 3:10)
Help me not to mistake the voice of God for another. (John 10:5)
But, help me wait on You and listen for your voice. John 10:27)
And when I hear you, help me to surrender my will to You, and You along. (James
4:7)
Not my will Lord, thy will be done. (Mark 14:36)

So, thank you Lord God, in faith for the answer. (Rom 4:17)
I love you, I praise you, and I adore you.
In Jesus Name, Amen.

AWFTL2014