This overflowed from my own soul’s recent wrestling. I’ve traversed some rocky roads of difficult decision-making this year. (Did I mention that my 2018 word is courage? Yes. Thank you, Lord.)

The first was regarding a disagreement in the wording of my writing contract, and due to the stand I decided I needed to take, I was let go.

The second was the recent decision to step down from the position of Prayer Leader on the Women’s Ministry team. I’d been floundering due to the fact that Dale travels for work and wants me with him more than before — before, when I was leading Women’s ministry. Though prayer is something I can do remotely, I felt disconnected from the team, and as a result, forgetful of the needs, and then ineffective.

After much prayer about how I’d been feeling and my poor performance — and on the heels of another decision in our lives that I wont mention yet, I knew it was time to step down so I could be replaced.

I sent an email, and things were set in motion to close out another chapter in my life.

We have an enemy who casts doubt on our decisions and we must resist him.

I weighed each decision heavily before putting out the words, and then I weighed them more on the other side of putting out the words.

I’ve brooded, and I’ve prayed.

I’ve written things out in my journal to make sense of it all.

After much wrestling in prayer, I’ve been able to find the place of peace in the grace of God and see clarly that these decisions are indeed from Him.

“You stand your ground and if things should happen to fall, you trust in the Lord to pick up the pieces.”

I’m well aware that I suffer from something podcaster Emily Freeman has titled, “Decision Fatigue.” If you can relate to the doubting and second-guessing, she speaks beautifully to it and encourages you to “make room for our soul to breathe.” I highly recommend The Next Right Thing.

There is one more incident that has given weight to the words that I jotted in my journal today. I’d already spoken them in a slightly longer version a few days prior.

Our son has his own contracting business. His current project has taken him two and a half hours away from home. He’s been sleeping at the job site and as often happens in construction, the project is taking a bit longer than expected. Since he has a pregnant wife and two toddlers at home, he made the decision to go home Friday instead of Saturday, and then return to the job after the weekend.

When he called his dad on the drive home, I overheard him describe the struggle with his decision. Familiar with the battle, I saw the enemy trying to cast doubt. The promise in Psalm 1:2-3 came to mind — blessed is the man who . . . meditates on God’s word day and night, he is like a tree planted by the water, “whatever he does will prosper.”

And the words came:

“God will bless either decision.”

You make your decision, you stand your ground and if things should happen to fall, you trust in the Lord to pick up the pieces.

As believers in Jesus, we have to put off the fears that would assail us, the doubts that would derail us, and take our thoughts captive to obey Christ by knowing and applying the truth. This is our ultimate soul-care.

Pray. Thank Him. Cast your anxieties on Him. Know that your time is valuable. Know that He redeems all things. Know that He is on your side. Know that when you pray, He wants to answer. He loves to show Himself strong on behalf of His people. He promises to work all things for good for those who love Him, and He has all the power we need to get through any crisis, should we find ourselves in the midst.

He wants us to trust that when we walk through the fire, we will not get burned, because He is with us. He wants us to maintain our souls with wisdom, and that means taking rest when we need it, checking in with our families when we need to, and letting go of things that are good, but are no longer a good fit.

And speaking of wisdom. We have another promise for those of you who, like me, can find themselves suffering from decision fatigue, I’ll leave you with this:

If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all withoug finding fault, and it will be given to you. James 1:5

There’s no doubt to be found in the words, “it will be given to you” … “it WILL be” … He WILL 

Let’s help each other stand on that rock, and take good care of our souls.