What To Do When You Don’t Know What To Do As A Christian
Introduction
Life isn’t easy. Sometimes it’s hard to know what to do. As a Christian, there are spiritual practices that we can do in times of uncertainty to help.
1. Ask the Lord to reveal His will to you.
When you don’t know what to do, it’s important to ask the Lord for direction. The Bible says that “if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God” (James 1:5). It also says that “your Father knows the things you have need of before you ask Him” (Matthew 6:8).
Because there are so many different aspects of your life, it’s important to be specific in your prayer. If you’re asking God for direction about a specific decision or situation in your life, here are some ways to help focus your prayers:
- Ask for wisdom and discernment (1 Corinthians 2:15-16)
- Ask Him for His will in this matter (Romans 12:2; Philippians 2:13)
- Pray that He would give an answer by His Spirit (1 John 5:14-15)
2. Search the Scriptures to find out what God has already said on the matter.
The Bible is the best source of wisdom and guidance we have. The Bible is the inspired word of God and is profitable for teaching, reproof, correction, and instruction in righteousness (2 Timothy 3:16). It’s profitable because it will help you to learn what God has already said about your situation.
Searching the Scriptures means looking at all of Scripture to see if there are any passages that apply specifically to your concern. Looking at all of Scripture includes reading other books of the Bible besides just one book or part (like Psalms), looking up verses that sound relevant from multiple Bibles or versions such as NIV/ESV/NKJV/NASB etc., reading through commentaries written by well-known pastors or scholars on specific topics related to your situation like marriage difficulties or parenting problems (such as John Piper’s Desiring God series), etc.
3. Seek Godly counsel from other believers.
Seek godly counsel from other believers.
God has given us a spirit of wisdom and revelation (see 1 Corinthians 12:4-6). Some people have the gift of discernment, but we all have access to God through prayer and the Bible. When you don’t know what to do as a Christian, ask for wisdom from God. Then ask someone else who knows more about the situation than you do for advice about how to proceed in your circumstances. It is important that your counselor be someone who loves Jesus more than they love themselves or their own opinion—and that they are willing to listen carefully before giving advice so that it lines up with Scripture. Don’t just seek out answers when something goes wrong; also spend time asking God questions as well!
4. Pray for direction and wisdom.
When you’re not sure what to do, pray for guidance. God has promised to lead us in the right direction if we ask him for it. He’ll reveal his will for us and show how our decisions can glorify him and help others (1 Corinthians 7:17).
When praying for wisdom, it’s helpful to be specific about what kind of discernment you want from God. Are there any thoughts or feelings that are holding you back from making a decision? Is there something hidden in your heart that may cause trouble down the road if left unchecked? If so, ask God about these things specifically. He knows what’s going on in your life better than anyone else does (Psalm 139) and will reveal insights into what’s going on with you when asked nicely (James 1:5-8). Let him guide your decision-making process by asking him directly what he thinks is best!
5. Discernment is key! Pray for God’s guidance as you make your decision.
Discernment is the ability to see things as they really are. It’s a spiritual gift, one that can be developed through learning and practice. Discernment is also an important fruit of the Spirit, presented in Galatians 5:22-23: “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness…and self control.”
Discernment will help you make wise decisions in your personal life and as you navigate through tough times in your relationship with God. This can mean praying for God’s guidance before making big decisions (like whether or not to marry someone), or it might mean asking questions about where your heart is leading when you feel lost or confused about what steps to take next.
“In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths” (Proverbs 3:6).
When you don’t know what to do, look to the Bible. The Bible is God’s word and it provides guidance and answers to our problems. There are many reasons why people have a hard time accessing this source of wisdom:
- The Bible is an old book that doesn’t apply today
- People don’t believe in God and think religion is silly
- They are not sure where they can find the Bible or don’t have time to read it
Conclusion
If you lie there in that pit, asking God for an answer but not getting one, then you will never grow. All other Christian virtues cannot flourish until this one does, because all other Christian virtues depend on it.