When a midwestern university reached out to my husband through social media, he submitted an application. “God will close the door if we’re not supposed to go,” he said. “That’s not always true,” I said. “Sometimes, He allows us to be discerning while making decisions.”

We prayed separately and discussed the pros and cons. We moved less than a month later. Though I missed home and our move didn’t make sense to me, I knew we were right where God wanted us in that present moment.

Over the years, we’ve often made decisions that didn’t make sense at the time but later proved to be exactly what we needed to get us to where God wanted us. We can’t take credit for our decision-making process, however.

The author of the book of James says that we’ll face trials that will test our faith (James 1:2-3). He introduced a time-tested decision-making process that honors God and develops perseverance (v. 4). If we lack wisdom, we should “ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault” (v. 5). The way we approach Him also matters. When we pray, we “must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind” (v. 6). When we “doubt,” we fluctuate between trusting God and trusting our own abilities. We doubt His faithfulness and goodness.

As we make decisions, big or small, keeping God in the loop is the first step toward growing in wisdom and spiritual maturity. He’ll always provide according to His perfect plan and pace and in alignment with the Scriptures as we follow His leading with Spirit-empowered courage and confidence.

Xochitl Dixon, Our Daily Bread author

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