Has God led you to make a decision — about an idea or a direction He’s put on your heart — but you’ve felt frozen by what is the best choice?

I’ve been trying to push away some new ideas, afraid to make some changes. And it wasn’t because I didn’t have any ideas. It was because I had too many choices. I felt overwhelmed.

Which is the right one? What if I pick the wrong one?

I found myself paralyzed, unable to see the forest from the trees. Sometimes, every idea seemed inspired and filled with possibilities. Other times, every idea seemed bad, wrong, and boring. I analyzed all the possible outcomes — until my decision-making tree ended in a gazillion what-ifs.

Have you found yourself in a similar situation — not because you’re uninspired — but because you are so inspired, that you’re overwhelmed with next steps?

A Fire Within the Soul

It’s easy to overthink what God’s inspired in you.

Overthinking is a way of self-defense for our hearts. It keeps our hearts from breaking free. It keeps our hands from reaching out and our feet from moving forward to where God’s pointing us.

But, the curious thing about our hearts is this: God created our heart to be like a flame . . . to grow into fire within the soul of who He created us to be.

I’ve been waiting for God to bring me “peace” about the decision. But, then I realized that what I really want isn’t peace. I want a risk-free and doubt-free journey. And well, that’s not the peace that comes by faith.

Peace that comes by faith is setting your heart free to say yes — to be who God created you to be — even if you’re afraid.

Is there something you’ve been putting off because you’re waiting until all your doubts are quieted?

It’s time to set your heart free. It’s time say yes, even if we’re afraid.

Here are 5 Ways to Set Your Heart Free to Say Yes

1) Be Kind to Yourself. Journal with God.

Acknowledge that the paralyzed feeling is really the child in you longing for God’s loving whispers. Be kind to yourself. Encourage yourself when you feel stuck. Turn to God and tell Him your troubles, instead of making yourself feel bad for feeling bad.

Invite Jesus to enter your world. Journal. Research shows the power of writing your personal story can lower anxiety, lead to behavior change, and improve happiness. Even 15 minutes of expressive writing makes a difference.

When we journal our stories with God, we give Him space to re-write our stories with us. Don’t you get ah-ha moments as you write? Journal your heart with God and feel the flame of inspiration starts to flicker within you again.

“For this reason I remind you to kindle afresh the gift of God which is in you.”
{2 Timothy 1:6}

2) Choose the journey rather than the destination. 

I hear so many critical voices when I’m about to make a decision . . .You don’t have what it takes. Things never change. No one wants to hear what you have to say . . . on and on.

“Seeking the perfect choice is a recipe for misery,” Professor Barry Schwartz said in his book Paradox of Choice. As I read, I realized the spiritual implications.

I kept looking for the best choice. But, what if God is longing to take us on a journey, not for us to succeed, but to be changed — because He is with us?

Do I trust that God will really take care of me? I’m realizing the moments I feel most hesitant are often the very doorway to freeing my heart to experience God more deeply.

“Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.” {Proverbs 19:21}

3) Talk It Over.

Tell a friend about your troubled decision right now, not after you’ve got everything figured out. My default reaction to indecision is to withdraw. I don’t want to talk until I’ve figured things out.

I’m realizing I need the voice of a friend to experience God when I can’t see ahead. Because what gives our hearts strength isn’t a solution, but to be known.

Don’t journey alone. Call someone to go out for coffee and share your in-progress story.

“Share each other’s burdens, and in this way fulfill the law of Christ.”
{Galatians 6:2}

4) Spend Time Meditating on Your Friendship with Jesus.

Best friends are for each other. I’ve been meditating on Jesus calling me friend, taking walks with Him, and sharing my heart and hard questions.

When we compare choices, we often compare ourselves with other people’s expectations. But, when Jesus shares his whispers with us — that’s the only conversation that matters.

“I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you.” {John 15:15}

5) Don’t Over-Think. Don’t Analyze. Just Do.

Whatever God’s prompting you to do, do it right now. Let go of trying to figure out what’s next. Do it because you are the beloved.

“There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment.” {1 John 4:18}

Make your mark in this world. Simply as His beloved.

Make the space to say yes to God. Let’s set our hearts free.

“I run in the path of Your commands for You have set my heart free.” {Psalm 119:32}

How is God prompting your heart to say yes? Share how He’s setting your heart free.

By Bonnie Gray, the Faith Barista, serving up shots of faith for everyday life.

For more encouragement for your heart, enjoy Bonnie’s book Finding Spiritual Whitespace: Awakening Your Soul to Rest.

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