Sermon Central
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"When You Don't Know What To Do"
Contributed by Blake Carroll on Oct 3, 2001 (message contributor)
Summary: What to do, when we don’t know what to do?
Title: “When You Don’t Know What To Do”
Scripture: 1 Peter 5:6-10
Introduction:
In Peter’s epistle, it is revealed that believers are undergoing hardships, and despite many modified advances in the world, hardships still occur today. Sometimes in the midst of them, many of God’s children find themselves expressing that “they don’t know what to do!” As Christians we need to explore the Scriptures and discover the practical answers to the question, “What to do, when we don’t know what to do?”
I. TRY BEING PATIENT
“Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompence of reward. For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise.”
A. People who do not know what to do often make rash decisions and rush into actions which later bring regret and disappointment
B. When we are unsure about what steps to take, we should exercise patience
1. We should wait before making important decisions or taking actions that could change the direction of our lives
2. It is God’s intention for believers to be able to diligently endure troubles and trials
Illustration:
Patience is letting your motor idle when you feel like stripping the gears.
II. TRY BEING PRAYERFUL
“Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.” (Philippians 4:6)
A. Many people fail to pray as they should because they become so engulfed in trying to decide what to do
Illustration:
For the Christian, prayer should be like breathing. Just as breathing is the response of physical life to the presence of air, so prayer should be the response of spiritual life to the presence of God.
B. If we are to come to a right decision there are some biblical principles that must be followed
1. Ask God
2. Listen to God
3. Obey God
4. Await God’s time
C. When we don’t know what to do, we must “pray without ceasing” (1 Thessalonians 5:17)
III. TRY BEING POSITIVE
“Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.” (Philippians 4:8)
A. Not knowing what to do often brings discouragement and self-pity
B. We must keep a optimistic outlook by believing that God is still on the throne and able to direct our lives
C. Positive thinking produces faith and confidence
1. “Greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world”
2. The Holy Spirit is greater than Satan and by trusting in Him you can victoriously overcome any obstacle of life
IV. TRY BEING PRODUCTIVE
“My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth.” (1 John 3:18)
A. We should be patient, but we should not sit with folded hands and idle away the time
B. Someone has said, “The secret of patience is doing something else in the meantime”
C. When you don’t know what to do, do something for God
1. Lend a helping hand to the less fortunate and share Christ with the unsaved
2. This will work wonders in bringing direction and meaning to your life (1 John 3:17)
Conclusion:
As Christians we must always remember that when we don’t know what to do, we should try being patient, prayerful, positive, and productive. Although we may not understand what is happening, God does!
