What Do I Do?

How many times have you found yourself in a situation where you didn’t know what to do? It’s like a never ending recording going round and round in your mind asking the question, “What should I do, what should I do, what should I do?” It leaves you exhausted and filled with anxiety. This has been my experience on countless occasions, and a lesson I needed to be reminded of as well. I pray that these three action steps will help you get out of the paralyzing loop, and set you on a path of answers and solutions.

Last week I was reading the Verse of the Day on Biblegateway. Three words stuck out to me that propelled me into this three step action plan. The three words were “the only work”. The setting was when Jesus was teaching and performing miracles. The disciples wanted to “perform miracles too”. But Jesus instructed them what he wanted them to do, which is our first action step.

1. BELIEVE - “Jesus told them, “This is THE ONLY WORK God wants from you: Believe in the one he has sent.” John 6:29 (emphasis added) This is so important to shift our focus from the mind numbing question of “What should I do?”, to believe that Jesus knows what to do. Catch the difference? Believing in Jesus resets our mental computer from fear mode to faith mode. This can be a very subtle shift, but a very powerful one that will set you on your path to answers and solutions. Remember to, “Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.” Matt 6:33 For practical tips on how to “Seek the Kingdom of God”, read my post on “Listening Prayer”.

The second action step has two parts. Love God and love others as you love yourself. While Jesus was teaching, a scribe asked Jesus of all the commandments, which was the most important. Jesus gave him this fundamental answer that we need to apply to our lives, especially when we don’t know what to do.

2. LOVE - “And you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, and all your strength.’ 31 The second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’  No other commandment is greater than these.” Mark 12:30-31 Check your mind, will, and emotions. Are you loving God by getting to know him and by following his teachings? Are you loving others as you love yourself? Are you even loving yourself? Are you feeling tormented? Love is a powerful emotion that overcomes torment and fear. “There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love.” 1 John 4:18 The opposite of love is hate. Hate and other negative emotions, towards God, others, or yourself, can lead to a lifetime of sickness. Learn more by reading my story that I posted titled, “Spiritual Roots To Disease.”

The third action step involves three parts, or the three parts of the Godhead. As we shift our thoughts from our problem to thinking God’s thoughts, we align ourselves with his kingdom and amazing things can happen. This step has been life changing for myself and my family, and I know many others have found this action helpful as well.

3. RECEIVE - “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” 2 Tim 1:7 The setting of this verse is Paul reminding Timothy to stir up his gift that had been given him, and not to be afraid to use it. Why? Because, God has given all of Himself to us. He has given the POWER of the Holy Spirit, the LOVE of Father God, and the Sound Mind of Jesus Christ. Our action is to RECEIVE the three.

Growing up in an intellectual focused church vs. a charismatic type church, I had never be taught how to “receive”. I’ve had the privilege of visiting charismatic ministries across this nation. People would pray for me and tell me to receive, but I wasn’t really sure how to do that. Over the years, I’ve discovered that receiving is pretty simple. It’s basically a mindset or a way of thinking that God is for me and not against me. He wants to partner with me in every aspect of my life.

When we come into agreement with Him, He partners with us in three ways, Holy Spirit power dwells in our gut - where our adrenal glands are located, (John 7:38), Father God’s love dwells in our heart/chest - where we feel his impressions, and Jesus Christ’s teachings dwell in our head - where we think our thoughts. As we receive these three together, we will know what to do and experience the “peace that passes understanding”. Phil 4:7

May you know that, “If you stray to the right or the left, you will hear a word that comes from behind you: “This is the way; walk in it.” Isaiah 30:21 When you listen, you will know what to do, and you will be blessed and be a blessing In Jesus Name! Go forth bold, blessed, and brilliant. Subscribe and comment below.