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You Don’t Always Have to Wait for an Answer
We often struggle to make decisions without getting confirmation from God, but as we move forward in faith, He will help us know that we are on the right path.
The author lives in New Mexico, USA.
Returning to college after my mission, I was considering whom I should room with. My dad suggested I reach out to a sister missionary who had recently served in my home ward and had just completed her mission. He explained that Holly was transferring to my school and she might not know many people there.
Although I knew Holly a bit from her time in our ward, I was hesitant to invite her to live with me. I was afraid she would think it was weird since we didn’t know each other well—and also because I didn’t know if we would click.
Despite my fears, I felt like following my dad’s tip would be a good thing to do. I had been praying to make new friends as I started school again, so I felt like Heavenly Father’s hand might be in my dad’s suggestion. I decided to go for it. Holly accepted my invitation, and during the year that we lived together, she became one of my best friends. Holly has offered me counsel and love during critical moments of my life, and I’ve been able to be there for her as well.
Our lives are filled with decisions. They may range in significance, but sometimes the smaller ones have the biggest impact down the road. While Heavenly Father might not initially reveal to us which choice is best in every situation, He has given us agency to act according to gospel principles and go forward with faith. I didn’t think that choosing a college roommate would have a lasting impact on my life, but it did. Only after reaching out to Holly did I realize that the Lord allowed me to make my own good decision, and I was blessed for it. Because I moved down the path I felt was right, Heavenly Father was able to introduce an amazing person into my life.
I wonder what could have happened if I had approached other small decisions with a more Christlike attitude—if I had put my laptop aside when a girl sat beside me to eat her lunch on campus, or if I had opened up about my beliefs more when a friend told me she was on the fence about religion. I might not have felt a strong spiritual nudge in those moments, but I knew they were good things to do, and I’m sure God would have turned it into a blessing for all who were involved. Because I chose to do nothing, I’ll never know what might’ve happened.
We often struggle to make decisions when we aren’t given a straightforward prompting or answer. In those moments, instead of waiting for a green light from God, we are able to use our gift of agency to choose good for ourselves. Mormon taught, “Every thing which inviteth to do good, and to persuade to believe in Christ, is sent forth by the power and gift of Christ; wherefore ye may know with a perfect knowledge it is of God” (Moroni 7:16).
So the next time you’re faced with a decision, think to yourself, “Is it good?” because every good thing comes from God. Just as the Savior never hesitated to do good, we can trust ourselves to choose to do good each day, in big and small ways. And God will turn those good choices into great things.