Wisdom for the FutureSample

Question 2: What do you want?

Your ability to decipher what you want or arrive at a decision can be linked to your temperament. Some people know exactly what they want and, for better or worse, make decisions quickly. Others – more risk averse perhaps – take longer to decide. This doesn’t matter much in the long run. But when it comes to facing life’s difficulties, it’s crucial that we get better at articulating our heart’s desire for problematic situations, as this will help us to lean into God’s wisdom.

Paul wrote to the Philippian church from prison. He faced immense challenges and overcame them joyfully, because he’d learned the art of pouring out his problems to God (Philippians 4:6). He understood how worry and anxiety immobilise us intellectually and emotionally. If you’re human, it’s likely you’ve been through grief, trauma, anxiety, or uncertainty that paralysed you – perhaps so much so you couldn’t make decisions or dream about a better future. Imagine what it would look like practically to allow your mind’s attention to flow towards what you want for a difficult or problematic situation, giving that desire over to God. And Paul takes it a step further, encouraging us to voice our requests to God, with thanksgiving.Joyfully, thankfully, trust that God knows what you need.

In Matthew 7:7–11, Jesus, like Paul, gives us a simple, straightforward method for managing what we want or need. If you have kids, I’m pretty sure you’ve never been tempted to spite them on their birthdays by wrapping up something ghastly as a gift. Don’t ever doubt God’s ability to know how to wrap up the gifts of abundant life for you as you ask, seek, and knock.

To overcome a problem, we need to articulate exactly what we hope for, as it relates to that problem. So, having already written your answer to the first question (What is the problem?)take some time to journal your answer to the second question: What do you want? What is it that you earnestly desire for the situation? A natural thought when we begin to express our desires is, How will this ever be possible? Park that question for now, trusting that God is the Creator of every necessary how? Pray for breakthrough in your situation. Don’t shy away from expressing to God every thought that crosses your mind, even the smallest worries that you wouldn’t dare say out loud to someone else. Allow God to melt away the debilitating anxiety you feel as you pour out your wants and needs to Him, knowing He lovingly receives your every thought and emotion, and He is able to make a way.