2 Corinthians 12:9 – But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore, I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.

Gratitude Day 855

Ever feel like you want to tell the “person” inside of your head to “just be quiet?”

You know. The little chatter-box that has all kinds of opinions, which may, or may not, be helpful?

Oh, how I wish I could turn that person off sometimes.

She’s bossy. Makes me second-guess things. Often wants to distract me from what I know is most important. Convinces me that a little cheating here and there are OK. And yes, they are, if this is what I really want to do.

But there is another side of that “person” in my head. She is quite convincing at times that unless I do something perfect or just right, then maybe I shouldn’t try it at all.

She has very high expectations for me. And can be relentless about them. Too often, she has me convinced that unless I do my very best, well, then I shouldn’t try to do it at all.

Fortunately, there are times when the real me wants to kick this “person” in my brain to the curb.

Sometimes I do. Sometimes, I listen to her voice a bit too much.

Anyone else have this little “person” or “voice” that seems to have a lot of opinions which may or may not be helpful?

I sure hope so.

Here’s the deal. Sometimes, it is nearly impossible to discern what voice is the right voice to listen to in our lives. Yes, there are times when we should be cautious. Making a bit financial decision. Moving. Changing jobs. Expanding family. But there are times when we spend way too much time and energy on decisions when maybe we just need to take one tiny little step in a particular direction and try something out. We don’t have to make a full-on commitment. Maybe just dip our little toe in the water and see what happens.

The challenge for me is knowing what idea should be a toe dip, which idea should sit for a bit more contemplation and what idea, well, it’s time to just jump.

Hubby Rick is a person who thinks about everything. Literally, everything. He can barely buy a pair of shoes without sleeping on it. Imagine my shock and surprise when a couple weeks ago, we bought a truck right after we saw it on the lot! Like, within a couple hours, he was driving off the lot with it. Even more amazing, we were completely unprepared to do this. Who goes vehicle shopping without a checkbook?

Apparently, us. We’ve done this twice now. Yes. Twice, Hubby Rick make a vehicle purchase without sleeping on it while the shoes still need a night of pondering.

Just to be clear: Rick had been truck shopping for a while. He’d stopped at plenty of lots and spent hours scouring the internet. But when it came down to signing on the dotted line? It only took minutes and at a reduced price, of course.

There was a voice in his head that questioned whether or not he should do it. We talked about this while sitting at the dealership. Was it too much money? Too big of a purchase? Too extravagant? Shouldn’t we use our resources a different way?

These are all valid and important questions. At the end of the day, individually, we are the ones who make these choices and calls. That “voice” in our head can be terribly helpful. He or she can also be a bit of a nuisance.

So how do we tell the difference between the two? How do we tell when the Holy Spirit or God is trying to inspire us and steer us in a particular direction and when is someone else trying to distract us? Here’s a few ideas.

• Check in with someone else. See what they think or suggest. Of course, this is basically gathering more information. Yet, sometimes, others can have insights and suggestions that we totally miss.
• Ask God for guidance. Seriously, get very specific with God. Too often, I think my prayers to God are too general. They are painted with a wide brush. I think God likes it when we get more specific and pointed in our prayers. We may not get the answer we want and yes, we must be prepared for this as well.
• Do one little thing that will take you in a particular direction and see how it feels. Does this give you energy? Excitement? Are you excited to do one tinier thing? Maybe you are headed in the right direction.
• If it’s a really big decision, spend a couple days living as if you already ARE doing this. Then, spend a couple days living as if you aren’t. Which felt better? What seemed more natural? Maybe this is the direction you should pursue.
• Realize how we process information is different. For women, we often like to talk to someone else. This is how we work thought it. Men? They let it stew in their brains for awhile and spit out the final answer. I know this is a big generalization and not true for everyone. Appreciate that how someone special in your life works through things will be different from you. This. Is. OK.
• Write it out. Sometimes, it helps me just to sit down and put on paper how I feel. Think. What this voice is saying to me; what I appreciate about it and what is challenging me. It’s a way to work through these thoughts and see if there is something to take away.
• Accept that any decision you make will be OK. Too often, I expect myself to make the “perfect” decision. I think there is only one best option. Actually, I think we often have lots of options and choices in our lives which may all be OK. Even if we don’t pick the best choice now, God can and will work with us. I believe God gives us free will, the opportunity to make our own choices, for a reason. God trusts us and yearns for us to take ownership. We just need to have confidence in ourselves as well.

When we begin to see choices and opportunities in this way, then we grant ourselves permission to simply make a choice and move on. It’s not about making perfect choices. This isn’t really what God wants us to do. If we only wait for the perfect choice, we miss out on a whole bunch of opportunities laid before us as well. Ones that can help us grow and learn and discover new things.

What God really wants from us is to be more perfect in our being with God; not in our doing. God knows we are going to make mistakes and God is OK with this. What God yearns for is that we prioritize time with God. Worship and growing in God. Listening just as much as we talk to God. When this happens on a more regular basis, then I think the voice in our heads actually becomes more of the Holy Spirit. And this, my friends, is a very good thing.

For ways to rethink the voice in my brain that just wants to distract me, I am very grateful.

Blessings –

Dianne

Loving God – Sometimes, it’s so frustrating when there is this voice that seemingly pulls me away from You. Maybe, it IS You in my life. When it is, help me have more confidence in hearing You speak to me. May I get less hung up in always doing the right thing and allow myself to focus more on simply being with You. Amen.

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