Give the people what they want

"Have you heard the counsel of God?"

Job 15:8

In the few months, I've had two separate conversations with two separate people who, in two separate scenarios, had the exact same complaint. 

Both were friends of mine, each in a quandary.  They each had been praying over a decision, and struggling with which way to go.  Nothing earth-shattering, just something they didn't want to take lightly. 

In both cases, they sought advice from their husbands.  The husbands gave their opinion, and the wives went along with what the husbands thought. 

And then a few months later, both women decided they had made a mistake.  That they were not where God wanted them to be.  Ever feel like that?  Like you've made a decision, but just don't have peace with that decision?  It's not the same as just not liking where God has you.  We all have that sometimes.  We don't get to pick-and-choose the way we'd like to in life.  But I'm talking about having that unsettled feeling that God wants you to revisit a plan or decision. 

In both cases, these women continued praying, and each came to the conclusion that she should have said no to something she said yes to.   Both women felt they had confirmation from God that they now knew where He wanted them ~ they each had peace.  And they made the change in their schedules accordingly. 

Now, in both cases, the husbands, when asked for advice, had given it.  But ~ and both men sheepishly admitted this after the fact ~ neither had prayed about it. 

Dude.... seriously? 

These are praying men, both of them.   They know how, they know why... and yet they didn't.   Too busy?  Too distracted?  Too sure they thought they knew best?

And unfortunately ~ been there, done that.  How about you?  Anyone ever ask you for advice, and what you gave them was your advice?   We're so tempted, aren't we?  Because what we think is so wise, and so mature, and clearly it's our obligation to share with the world.  {catch all that sarcasm, did ya?}

And it's funny.... I know I've shared on this topic before.  But I guess I needed to be reminded.  Or you did.  Or both of us...  How hard is it to say, "I'll get back to you on that after I've prayed."?

These friends of mine fully expected that the advice they were getting from their husbands was prayed over.   There are times when people are going to come to you, or me, expecting Godly wisdom.  If people know how important the Bible is to you, that might be precisely why they come to you.  So don't get cocky.  It's not your advice they want. 

~ "Many are the plans in a man's heart,

    nevertheless, the Lord's counsel will stand" ~

Proverbs 19:21