What to Do When You Don’t Know What to Do

In times of uncertainty like our current political, social and financial climate, it is easy to feel overwhelmed and confused. But we, as believers, have access to the one who has the answers and solutions. Jesus was described by Isaiah as one on whom the spirit of wisdom would rest (Isaiah 11:2).

One of the greatest things you can do when you feel at a loss for wisdom is to pray this simple Bible prayer: Lord, I don’t know what to do, but my eyes are on you.

This is the prayer Jehoshaphat offered when he stood before the people of Judah as they were facing attack by a vast army they had no power to overcome. (See 2 Chron. 20:12.) In response, the Spirit of the Lord downloaded to Jahaziel the Levite a word of wisdom in the form of instructions for what King Jehoshaphat and the nation were to do next.

Jahaziel’s solution is an example of the spiritual word of wisdom. Possessing a word of wisdom is much more than being street-wise or having extraordinary intelligence. It is not human wisdom. More than having a great idea, it’s having a God idea. A word of wisdom is the download from heaven which unveils God’s thoughts, mystery and value system in a certain situation. It is like an AirDrop from the Spirit that happens when you don’t know what to do, and suddenly the answer comes.

Wisdom is an important part of any believer’s life. Proverbs 4:7 (NIV) tells us “The beginning of wisdom is this: Get wisdom. Though it cost all you have, get understanding.” Paul prays in Colossians 1:9 that God would fill us all with the knowledge of His will through knowledge, wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives.

What am I saying? If you lack wisdom, ask of God. He gives wisdom freely to all without finding fault (see James 1:5). You might be in a situation with your family, health, finances, job or nation where you are crying out, “Lord, I don’t know what to do!” But don’t stop there; move into the second part of Jehoshaphat’s declaration: “Lord, I don’t know what to do, but my eyes are on you. Lord, I’m asking today for the gift of a word of wisdom. I am asking for a divine download to give me wisdom that can only come from God.”

For more on a word of wisdom listen to the Live Above Normal episode of the Prophetic Company podcast as we begin a series this month on the gifts of the Spirit outlined in 1 Corinthians 12. Spiritual gifts are one of the greatest ways we can live above normal in this current age. {eoa}

Dan McCollam is passionate about training people to recognize and respond to the voice of God. He is co-founder of Prophetic Company and author of several books on the prophetic.