Devotionals, Podcast Notes
August 10, 2023 • Chad Spencer
Decisions shape our daily lives. They range from the trivial — like what creamer to put in your coffee — to the significant ones that alter the course of your future: who to marry, where to pursue education, what career to follow. Each decision, regardless of size, influences your life's trajectory. The small choices compound over time, and the big ones set the direction entirely. So how do we navigate this constant stream of decision-making with confidence?
"And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful." — Colossians 3:15 NLT
God has not left us without tools for making decisions. He has equipped every believer with something powerful: His peace. Peace is so much more than an emotion or a feeling of calm. It functions as a decision-making instrument given to us by God Himself. One biblical translation actually describes peace as an "umpire" — the one who determines what is right and what is wrong, what is safe and what is out of bounds.
This is not natural peace that comes from having all your circumstances lined up perfectly. This is a supernatural characteristic of peace, rooted in the Holy Spirit's indwelling, that operates independently from your natural circumstances. You can be in the middle of uncertainty and still have a peace that surpasses all understanding. That kind of peace does not come from the world — it comes from the Spirit of God living inside of you.
This means peace can guide believers toward God's will, even when natural circumstances appear questionable. A decision might not make sense on paper. The numbers might not add up. The timing might seem off. But if the peace of God is overwhelmingly present, that is confirmation that you are aligned with His direction. On the other hand, when peace is absent — when you feel unsettled, anxious, or uneasy about a choice — that is a signal that something is wrong. Peace acts as the umpire, making the call.
If you are facing a crossroads today, here is what you can do: ask God for His peace to serve as your umpire. Request that His peace would be present for the correct decisions and absent for the incorrect ones. It is a simple but powerful prayer. When peace floods your heart about a direction, move forward with confidence. When peace lifts, pause and reconsider.
Be led by peace today!