As I reflect on my life, I remember a time when I made my own decisions and never bothered to consult with God. I didn’t let the Holy Spirit lead me and I did what seemed right to me based on what I believed in. This worked for a little while, but what about making those decisions that didn’t have clear cut answers?  Do I take this Job? Is he the one? Do I buy this house? Those are the questions that I soon found could not be answered by determining what was right and what was wrong. These questions require answers that only God can give. It requires the divine revelation and wisdom of the Holy Spirit.

“For as many that are led by the spirit of God, those are the sons of God,” Romans 8:14. God sent the Holy Spirit to lead and guide us in everything. As a child of God you have the privilege of a personal relationship. You have a divine knowledge through the Holy Spirit and thus a different way of making decisions.  You don’t have to look at your situation the way the world would. You don’t have to go through life basing your financial decisions on the economy. You don’t have to pick a mate based on the world’s standards because you have access to supernatural knowledge.  It is so important to consult God in everything because we don’t know the future and we don’t have all the details. It is extremely difficult to make the best decision with limited information. There will be times when we won’t have a choice because all pertinent information is not always available to us at that moment, however, that is when it is even more important to be led by the Holy Spirit in the decisions we make.

When it came time to purchase my vehicle they gave me an unreal deal. I had car with all the bells and whistles, a maintenance plan, detailing and car washes for my vehicle at a great price. However, for some reason or another I had no peace about getting it. It didn’t feel right in my spirit and I learned that if it doesn’t feel right then I shouldn’t do it. Colossians 3:15 says, “let the peace of God rule in your heart…” I called and declined the offer.  A few days later I went into the dealership and got the same car with all the same perks but for a lower price, lower interest rate and lower monthly note. Now to any logical person the first deal was great and any intelligent car buyer would have taken it. However, to a person led by the Holy Spirit it wasn’t the best deal. God knew that there was something better; and I could have taken the first offer but I would have forfeited the best gift that God had for me.

When we make decisions without the Holy Spirit we are limited to what we know. We can’t know that we shouldn’t buy this house right now because three months after we close on it our job will lay us off. We can’t know that they guy who seems so great will eventually compromise our relationship with God. We are limited to the here and now, when the Holy Spirit knows the now and forever. When you have access to that kind of insight why would you not take advantage of it? Your best decisions are your “yes to the Holy Spirit” decisions. Say “Yes” to being led by Him.

Letting go is arguably one of the most difficult things God asks us to do in life. Sometimes it is a job, a romantic relationship or a friendship that God requires us to leave. It is often difficult because we have developed some attachment to that thing or person. However, when God removes things from our life it is always with good reason. To remain where God is not will always hinder our progress.

I don’t know the exact reason that we struggle with letting go but I do know that it is almost always rooted in fear. Perhaps it is the fear that if we leave our current relationship that we won’t find another man, the fear that if we leave our current job we won’t like the next one or the fear that if we let go of our negative friendship, we will be bored or lonely.  But what about the fear of being in a place where God is not, or the realization that God was never there? When God has very clearly told you to leave that relationship, he is no longer in it. For you to remain in it is a dangerous.

Whenever God asks us to do something we would be wise to respond quickly. Oftentimes the fear of letting go is overwhelming and is easier to avoid than confront. If we shift our perspective we would see that there is freedom in leaving. When you are where God is you won’t be in bondage to your sin and you won’t be a slave to the fear that holds you captive.  The freedom that comes with being with God cannot be matched. You don’t have the constant stress of that unhealthy relationship or the feeling of being depleted by that friendship. When you dwell with God you don’t worry about the what-ifs because you know that God is always going to give you his best. If he is calling you to leave that relationship it is because somewhere down the line he has something better.  There are times when nothing appears to be wrong and God still calls you to leave that relationship or that job. In fact, sometimes it is when you feel perfectly content in your situation that God will ask you to leave. Even in those times you must go because you will settle for good when God has great in mind for you.

I know it’s hard to trust God in situations where he calls you to move out of your comfort zone, but it is only because he has something better planned for your life. 1 Corinthians 2:9 states, “But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.” You cannot imagine or understand all that God has planned for your life. When God says let go, do it. It will be the best decision you have ever made because God does not disappoint.

The idea of submission is a scary concept for most of us, but it is a very real part of life. Most every relationship that you will ever have will require some form of submission at some point. It might be in relation to your parents, your supervisor or an organization that you participate in. In whatever capacity, use this as preparation for marriage. Submitting is the process of laying down your rights and relinquishing your will for that of somebody else. Submission God’s way will bless you and protect you.

Your blessing is always attached to your submission because when you are fully submitted you are walking in obedience to God. Sometimes it is difficult to submit because you may feel that the person God is calling you to submit to is wrong, and you are right. However, submission is not always predicated upon your belief that a person is right or wrong. It is based on your belief that God commanded it, and God never calls us to do something that won’t ultimately be for our good. Sometimes we may be right but still have to submit because a person is in authority over us. It is in those moments where we must learn to lay down our rights. We may feel that our viewpoint is the correct one and that we were wronged in the situation; however, this doesn’t change Gods instruction to us.

Hagar experienced this firsthand in Genesis 16:7-14. Her mistress, Sarai, was unable to bear children and decided that her husband Abram should sleep with her servant Hagar in order to have a baby. Well Abram did as Sarai, his wife, instructed. Hagar became pregnant and had a child and suddenly Sarai was upset. Hagar then fled to the wilderness where the angel of the lord met her. He said to her “Return to your mistress and submit yourself under her hand,” fortunately Hagar obeyed.  If Hagar had not listened, not only would she have been disobedient to God, but also to her mistress because she left without permission. The passage continues and the angel said to Hagar, “I will multiply your descendants exceedingly, so that they shall not be counted for the multitude.” This is the blessing that was attached to her submission. Even though Hagar had done exactly what Sarai asked she was still dealt with harshly and had to submit to Hagar. However, for her willingness to submit, God promised her that he would still multiply her exceedingly. Additionally, Hagar’s covering was also tied to her obedience. In the wilderness she was alone and unprotected; she had no home and no job. Thus, in many ways it was in her best interest to return home. Hagar shows us that God will always cover you where he called you and that our best protection is in his will.

Oftentimes we allow our flesh to get in the way. We decide that we are right and no one will treat us rudely, or that we won’t accept certain things from certain people. The cost of disobedience is high. You don't know what you are sacrificing by not being obedient. Learn to lay down your rights, and know that if you are truly wronged God will take care of you. God called us to be righteous not right. In every situation seek God as to what you should do, because what may seem right to you through the eyes of the flesh may not be righteous in the eyes of the Savior.