Susanne Scheppmann
"You shall follow the Lord your God and fear Him; and you shall keep His commandments, listen to His voice, serve Him, and cling to Him." Deuteronomy 13:4 (NASB)
A committee of voices live in my head. Most days they are quiet. However, when a pivotal decision develops, they all want to chime in with their points of view. All the personalities clash and clang about, making a ruckus rather than a decision. Here's an example of the conversations that might be heard on any given day.
Miss Scaredy-cat whispers, "Don't do it. You'll fail."
Mrs. I Can Do shouts, "Go ahead. Go for it! What's the worst thing that can happen?"
Ms. Prideful says, "What will other people think? I wonder what they will say?"
Miss Procrastination states, "Just wait to make the decision. Wait another day."
Now I know that Jesus said, "My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me" (John 10:27, NIV). Yet, I admit sometimes His beloved voice gets lost in the clatter of "The Committee." I lean toward being a type-A personality with lots of ideas and dreams. So, my own strong personality voices are difficult to squelch. Unfortunately, God's voice is usually the quietest whisper among the din of fear, pride and procrastination.
The Committee visits me frequently, and the bigger the decision, the more noise erupts in my thoughts. Life-changing choices create the biggest clash of voices. Decisions concerning relational conflicts, career changes, and ministry efforts generate non-stop thoughts in me.
So how do I keep The Committee subdued? For myself, I have found that I need to physically go to a place of quiet where I can sit and listen to God. I take my Bible and read a few Psalms. I sit. I wait. I still my mind. Eventually (it takes time), my spirit and my personality calm down and then I can begin to discern God's quiet voice. The Committee takes a recess and God takes command. When His voice is in control, I feel the "peace that passes understanding." It enables me to think rationally without all the emotional inner dialogue.
Although the decision making process will never be easy for me, I can make the process more palatable by listening for God's direction. I need to appoint the Holy Spirit as the chairperson. I must sit quietly and still The Committee in my head so that I am able to discern the whisper of God.
Dear Lord, quiet my thoughts. Teach me to sit still and listen. Train me to hear Your voice. Grant me the ability to discern Your thoughts and will for my life. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Embraced by the Father: Finding Grace in the Names of God by Susanne Scheppmann
More peace and perspective is offered with our Radio program White Noise
10-Minute Time Outs for Busy Women by Grace Fox
Application Steps:
Determine to set aside 30 minutes for a time of stillness. Choose a quiet place to sit and reflect. Read three or four Psalms. Close your eyes and listen. Ask God to speak to your heart.
Reflections:
Do I consider making decisions a difficult process? Why or why not?
What types of "voices" try to influence my choices?
When a decision needs to be made, do I try to listen to the God's voice?
Power Verses:
Isaiah 28:23, "Listen and hear my voice; pay attention and hear what I say." (NIV)
Psalms 46:10, "Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth." (KJV)
1 Kings 19:11-13, "The LORD said, 'Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the Lord, for the Lord is about to pass by. Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. After the earthquake came a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper. When Elijah heard it, he pulled his cloak over his face and went out and stood at the mouth of the cave. Then a voice said to him, 'What are you doing here, Elijah?'" (NIV)
© 2010 by Susanne Scheppmann. All rights reserved.
"You shall follow the Lord your God and fear Him; and you shall keep His commandments, listen to His voice, serve Him, and cling to Him." Deuteronomy 13:4 (NASB)
A committee of voices live in my head. Most days they are quiet. However, when a pivotal decision develops, they all want to chime in with their points of view. All the personalities clash and clang about, making a ruckus rather than a decision. Here's an example of the conversations that might be heard on any given day.
Miss Scaredy-cat whispers, "Don't do it. You'll fail."
Mrs. I Can Do shouts, "Go ahead. Go for it! What's the worst thing that can happen?"
Ms. Prideful says, "What will other people think? I wonder what they will say?"
Miss Procrastination states, "Just wait to make the decision. Wait another day."
Now I know that Jesus said, "My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me" (John 10:27, NIV). Yet, I admit sometimes His beloved voice gets lost in the clatter of "The Committee." I lean toward being a type-A personality with lots of ideas and dreams. So, my own strong personality voices are difficult to squelch. Unfortunately, God's voice is usually the quietest whisper among the din of fear, pride and procrastination.
The Committee visits me frequently, and the bigger the decision, the more noise erupts in my thoughts. Life-changing choices create the biggest clash of voices. Decisions concerning relational conflicts, career changes, and ministry efforts generate non-stop thoughts in me.
So how do I keep The Committee subdued? For myself, I have found that I need to physically go to a place of quiet where I can sit and listen to God. I take my Bible and read a few Psalms. I sit. I wait. I still my mind. Eventually (it takes time), my spirit and my personality calm down and then I can begin to discern God's quiet voice. The Committee takes a recess and God takes command. When His voice is in control, I feel the "peace that passes understanding." It enables me to think rationally without all the emotional inner dialogue.
Although the decision making process will never be easy for me, I can make the process more palatable by listening for God's direction. I need to appoint the Holy Spirit as the chairperson. I must sit quietly and still The Committee in my head so that I am able to discern the whisper of God.
Dear Lord, quiet my thoughts. Teach me to sit still and listen. Train me to hear Your voice. Grant me the ability to discern Your thoughts and will for my life. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Embraced by the Father: Finding Grace in the Names of God by Susanne Scheppmann
More peace and perspective is offered with our Radio program White Noise
10-Minute Time Outs for Busy Women by Grace Fox
Application Steps:
Determine to set aside 30 minutes for a time of stillness. Choose a quiet place to sit and reflect. Read three or four Psalms. Close your eyes and listen. Ask God to speak to your heart.
Reflections:
Do I consider making decisions a difficult process? Why or why not?
What types of "voices" try to influence my choices?
When a decision needs to be made, do I try to listen to the God's voice?
Power Verses:
Isaiah 28:23, "Listen and hear my voice; pay attention and hear what I say." (NIV)
Psalms 46:10, "Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth." (KJV)
1 Kings 19:11-13, "The LORD said, 'Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the Lord, for the Lord is about to pass by. Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. After the earthquake came a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper. When Elijah heard it, he pulled his cloak over his face and went out and stood at the mouth of the cave. Then a voice said to him, 'What are you doing here, Elijah?'" (NIV)
© 2010 by Susanne Scheppmann. All rights reserved.
Labels: Balance, God's Perspective, Patience, Prayer, Spiritual Growth, Time with God
13 Comments:
Wow! I am this day trying to make a decision about homeschooling my high schooler. I thank you and I thank God for this devotion today and the advice on how to hear/know what God's will is for us.
May God Bless You today for obeying his calling for you.
TLB in OK
Thanks for today's devotion. I needed to hear this.
There is so much truth in what you have shared today. And you have expressed it beautifully. Thank you for sharing your heart with us.
Priscilla
LOL I loved the committee idea! That gave me such a good chuckle this morning and I can totally relate. I will continue to seek God's voice and STOP the committee meetings in my head.
Susanne,
I loved your devotional this morning. Guess what? That same committee lives inside of my head too - causing such a fuss I can barely think at times! I need to make sure the Holy Spirit is the chairperson in my head too :)
Thanks for the wonderful insight today :)
Love,
Leah
This is just what I needed...I am in the middle of making a huge decision about a leadership role at church. This is my reminder to be still and listen. Thank you for sharing your heart for it has blessed me today!
Seriously, this devotional just reached out and grabbed me. I have been long praying for a more whole relationship with God, and your words have really helped me come to some decisions. I will definitely be listening for God's direction. Thank you so much for this wonderful devotion. I feel like it was just for me.
I am facing a major decision and this is perfect timing. How do you walk away from 26 years and start over? Maybe it is the healthy thing to do, that is all I keep thinking.
Loved the devotion today!!!! Thank you for being open, honest and real.
I have been battling with the committee's in my head for some time now. And the funny thing is that God seems to be shouting out His will for me, but I still find a way of questioning my thoughts, over and over! God you amaze me and I am forever grateful for your guidance, and your patience in me! Please help me to Be Still, Be Quiet, and Listen to you Lord!
I am also struggling with a decision. This is very encouraging.
Earlier today I was thinking about a decision that I made on my own recently without consulting His wisdom. If I could just learn to consult God first, instead of believing I know what is right for myself. He always knows what is in our best interest. We just need to have faith in Him.
I thank God specially for showing me that I am not the only one who struggles in making decisions. I read my bible everyday and pray, but my quiet moment to listen to his voice needs to be improved...I REALLY want to listen to him when making life changing decisions.
Thank you very much
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