What To Do When You Don't Know What To Do

      Sometimes people call me with perplexing questions. They are troubled and need a word of encouragement, advice, and always prayer. I am honored by their confidence in me, but I do not feel like I am a very good source of help. But as I have often said for many years, I can "listen" well. Recently someone said "Brother Randall, I just don't know what to do!" Upon hearing that, my heart was saddened, because I have been there so often.

      I remember a great, old man of God preaching on "What To Do When You Don't Know What To Do."  While I can't remember most of the message, the crux of it was that we should keep doing what we do know to do. Don't do anything rash or hurried in those times of not knowing what to do.

      For those of us trying to serve God as Christians, this is particularly pertinent. Until we get a clear answer from God, we should keep on keeping on. Keep reading our Bibles, keep praying and attending church. The Bible should be our guide for all matters of convictions and conduct. What you believe, determines how you behave. So many people are far away from God and His Word, and wonder why they have no answers to their problems. We cannot expect to be led by Him, if we are like Peter, following "afar off". Jesus said in John 14:21, that if we love Him and keep His commandments, that He would "manifest" Himself to us. He will be real to us, give us comfort and guidance in our hard days. By the way, as Dr. Lehman Strauss used to say, "Spirit-led Christians are never misled".

      So when you do not know which way to turn,  or which decision to make, just keep clinging to the old tried and true principles that you do know. One man said, I'd rather be certain about a few things, than to be unclear on a lot of things."

      I do not know much, I am not a smart man, but the things I DO know, I know. Like Paul, "I know whom I have believed . . ." His name is Jesus, my Savior, my Lord.  I love Him because He first loved me.

      Let me encourage you all to keep on track with the things you do know for certain. When you don't know what to do, keep doing those good and right things you do know.