TODAY begins the 5 day countdown to the release of my new book, Cinched: Living with Unwavering Trust in an Unfailing God.
In honor of this 5-day countdown to the book’s release, I’m sharing DAY ONE of my popular email study, the Walking with Rahab: 5-Day Challenge to Better Decision-Making.
How to Become a Better Decision-Maker
Learning to let go of control and becoming a better decision-maker go hand-in-hand. Below you’ll find the first day of this mini study, which looks at the life of Rahab and what we can learn from her story.
(I will only be sharing DAY ONE here on our weekly devotions page. But at the end of today's post, you'll find information on how to access the rest of the 5-day mini study.)
DAY ONE: CALMING THE DECISION-MAKING CHAOS
This morning I took a break in the back yard to enjoy a rare cool breeze on an otherwise humid summer day.
Pretty soon, my 13-year-old dog Teddy trotted toward me with a turtle in his mouth. Teddy loves chasing turtles. It was perfectly safe in that hard shell, but Teddy sure seemed proud of his find. He dropped it at my feet, where I rescued it and released it in a nearby lake.
You know, sometimes Teddy lets go of the turtle immediately, while other times he holds on to it, even with coaxing from me. At those times, I have to find a treat to offer him so he'll give up the prized turtle.
I can be a lot like Teddy when it comes to decisions.
Sometimes I hold onto a decision far too long. I stress and agonize over it, only to end up even more frustrated and no closer to making that decision. Other times, I don't wait on God. My impatience drives me to make a choice too quickly.
Either way, I rarely feel at peace over the decision once it’s made.
When I allow those feelings of worry and uncertainty to end up in frustration, I drift away from God’s will. I put a barrier between me and the Spirit who longs to guide me through those tough choices.
“Therefore, brethren, we are debtors—not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh. For if you live according to the flesh you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live.” Romans 8:12-13 NKJV
Allowing ourselves to be led by the Spirit gives us peace in knowing He is with us when we face difficult decisions.
Allow me to introduce you to a bold woman in Scripture who made a life-changing decision God's way. As we follow her story over the next 5 days, we will learn 5 truths to remember that will help us be better decision-makers too.
Rahab is described as a prostitute, or harlot (NKJV). However, many theologians believe at this point in Rahab’s life, she had “repented and reformed.” (Matthew Henry Commentary)
Right after the spies came to Rahab’s home, someone went and told the king about it. Talk about nosy neighbors! I’m certain this didn’t surprise Rahab at all. In fact, whoever shared Rahab’s secret probably thought they were doing the right thing by informing the king. But I want us to notice an important detail here.
Verse 4 says, “But the woman had taken the two men and hidden them.”
Rahab didn’t wait before hiding the men in a safe place. She didn't take time to weigh out her options. She didn’t pause to see what would happen, then hurry around in response to the king’s request. No, the minute they arrived, she planned their escape.
She acted immediately.
So how did she know what to do? Wasn’t she confused? Frantic? It seems like I try and try to be steadfast in the middle of uncertainty, but I just can’t find that boldness like Rahab.
What was it that drove her ability to make decisions with confidence?
When we release control to God and allow His Spirit to guide us through the decision-making process, we allow God's peace to calm the frustration and confusion.
But when I worry and agonize over a decision, I unknowingly take control away from the Holy Spirit and give it back to myself.
By daily releasing control to God, we are allowing His peace to calm the decision-making chaos in our minds.
And just like Rahab, we can learn to walk in immediate obedience.
Sometimes we will sense the Holy Spirit guiding us to make a decision right away, like Rahab did at that moment. Other times there will be waiting involved. As we go through this 5-day study, we will learn more about how to walk through the process of those decisions with steadfast assurance. But for now, lets begin by holding onto this truth:
Today’s Truth Declaration is this:
By daily releasing control to God, we allow His peace to calm the decision-making chaos.
DAY TWO of the mini study ventures into even more of Rahab's story. Would you like to receive the rest of this free 5-day study?
Visit the challenge page here.
At the end of the 5 days, you will also receive the free Scripture-based prayer for better decision-making. (Did I mention it's all free?)
Have you already read the study? Does the message of Rahab’s steadfast faith in God resonate with you? Then watch for Friday’s release of my new book all about the life of Rahab. I also share how her life inspired my own, sending me on a journey to a deeper trust in God. Read more about the book here.
