How to Discover Supernatural Guidance When You Need it Most

We all face times when we could use a little supernatural guidance don’t we?

We get slammed.  A pink slip in our pay envelope telling us, “Your services are no longer needed.”  A spouse says, “I’m moving out.”  The doctor tells you, “I’d like to run some more tests.”

Suddenly our world spins out of control and we could really use some answers.

So what do we normally do?

We discuss it with our next door neighbor, barber, brother, bartender.  Yet, often when you look at their lives they don’t have life wired up all that much better do they?

So we blindly roam around like a wildebeest feeling alone, frustrated, helpless.

It is what Jesus said about the religious leaders opposing him.

“They are blind guides leading the blind, and if one blind person guides another, they will both fall into a ditch.”

I’ve seen that view.

Yet, I had an experience where I climbed out.

A sudden health problem scared and baffled me.

My heart suddenly would start racing, skipping beats, fluttering.  I’d feel like I was going to faint.  Sometimes start panting to stay alert and try to slow my heart down.  It would last a couple of hours then go away.

I talked to friends who had heart issues and they felt perhaps stress or over exertion triggered it.

Yet, it would hit me on a Tuesday evening or a Sunday afternoon.  There seemed to be no consistency.

The symptoms grew worse and they were frightening.

One evening I was sitting in our living room relaxed in my leather chair reading a book after dinner.  Suddenly I felt like a hundred butterflies hatched at the same time in my chest and were fighting to get out.  I knew what was coming.  Then I went into the full blown symptoms.

Finally, in absolute despair, I prayed.  “God what’s going on?  What’s the problem?  I can’t keep living like this.  Please give me an answer.”

Suddenly, I heard in my mind two words, “Food allergy.”  Yep, I kind of wondered the same thing.

Yet, I thought, “Wait. That’s it.  That’s the symptoms.”

We’d studied allergic reactions in emergency first aid when getting on ski patrol and this fit.

I researched online and kept coming up with peanuts as a top culprit.

Six months before I’d started eating nuts including peanuts every afternoon to gain some energy before working out.  Even the mixed nuts were roasted in peanut oil which frankly made them really good.

Once I stopped eating them the symptoms ended.  The only time I’ve had a problem since is when I’ve unknowingly eaten them as an ingredient in a food dish.

It reminds me of what Paul writes, “For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light.”

Here’s what helps me find that light.

First, ask for guidance. 

Honestly this is often the last thing we do isn’t it?

Second, listen. 

Stop racing around.  Turn off the TV.  Go for a walk.  Work in your garden.  Quiet your mind so you can hear God’s nudging.

Third, expect his guidance.

He promised it so why wouldn’t he give it?

Fourth, trust you’re hearing God’s voice.

You really will sense him.

Fifth, research it. 

Test it against scripture.  Make sure it makes sense and wasn’t just indigestion.

Sixth, follow it.

Keep putting one foot in front of the other.

Seventh, rinse and repeat. 

Usually the whole answer doesn’t come at once.  Rather often only the next step.

God really will guide you through your dark times.

I know.   I’ve seen it.

*Matthew 15: 12-14 (NLT); Ephesians 5:8 (NIV)

Photo Credit: Loren Kerns; Creative Commons