“I’m so confused at what God is doing.” I texted these words to a friend a few weeks ago. She quickly responded with something I’ve known (and even told others) for years: God does not bring confusion. God brings clarity. In the middle of a big decision, I allowed confusion to take from the confidence of what I knew to be true.
I was told years ago that confusion is not of God, and if there is confusion then God is not there. I have lived under that belief ever since, and it has served me well.
For God is not the author of confusion but of peace, as in all the churches of the saints. 1 Corinthians 14:33
How, though, after all this time of believing that God is not a God of confusion did I actually say that I was confused at what God was doing? How did I get there?
Feelings.
I think it’s interesting that the second definition of feelings in Websters Dictionary reads: a belief, especially a vague or irrational one. Now, I am all about some feelings. Feelings make my moments come alive and add to memories, making them even sweeter to recall. But, I have felt a LOT of things, and many times they weren’t always true. When we start recognizing our feelings as our truth, we are asking for confusion. It’s hard to be confident in something that could change tomorrow. Circumstances are ever-changing, feelings are ever-changing, but truth cannot be ever-changing. Truth is derived from facts, and the truth is the basis of reality. When we let feelings lead and become our truth, we trade what we know for what we feel. What you know will not change, but what you feel always will.
The problem: Fear.
When we become fearful, we immediately begin to lose rationality. The minute that we lose that, we open the door to confusion. It’s hard to think clearly when you are paranoid, uneasy, and worried that where you are headed isn’t the right direction. Fear leaves little room for peace, and when there is no peace, we become panicked. We cannot make decisions in panic, because as our blood pressure rises, our ability to think clearly declines. Enter confusion.
The solution: Focus.
We have become so distracted. We are distracted by voices that don’t matter, people who have hurt us, and circumstances that have changed us. We have become a people of displacement and wandering because we aren’t even sure whose voice to listen to anymore. We have allowed our perceived truths to become a false reality and now we believe lies. We believe lies like “we aren’t good enough, smart enough, or likable enough.” We are distracted, and where there is a lack of focus, there is a lack of purpose.
What’s your truth?
Knowing your purpose and knowing why you are here on this earth is a big deal. I know my purpose as a child of God is to love Him and grow closer to Him so I can hear His voice– so I can hear His lead. I may not always know where I am going, but I do know my leader can be trusted. When I can hear His lead, I can fulfill my purpose of loving people well. I can have a clear direction of where to love people and how to love people to the best of my ability. My truth is that God is my guide, and He is leading me to fulfill my purpose of loving Him and others. That truth cannot and will not change; it’s something I can hang my hat on.
Confusion is the enemy of confidence because when we question what we are here to do and when we question who we are, everything suddenly becomes unclear. Confusion is the enemy of clarity. When we allow distractions into our lives that defeat our self-worth and self-confidence, we are asking for confusion.
Wherever you are, I can confidently tell you that confusion is not of God. God is clarity. God is sanity. God is my truth.
What’s yours?
The unfolding of your words gives light; it imparts understanding to the simple. Psalm 119:130
And your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, “This is the way, walk in it,” when you turn to the right or when you turn to the left. Isaiah 30:21
Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. Romans 12:2
Jamie Lynn Wassum says
Truly enjoyed this!
Sunnie Cotton says
Thank you for reading, Jamie!!
Sunnie Cotton says
Thank you for reading, my sweet friend!