Sometimes in life we end up in a situation and we just don’t know what we should do.

Our human nature may cause us to want to react with a flight, fight or freeze response.

Flight:  Should you run away from what you are facing as fast as you can?  Hopefully, the problems you are running from won’t chase you down.  Is getting away the best option?

Fight:  Do you stand up to the opposition?  Get in your battle stance and come out against the foe, fists up, determined to win at all costs.  Is the win within reach as you tackle the problem head on, using your artillery to suppress the forces coming against you?

Freeze:  Do you plant yourself firm, no motion to flee and no effort to attack or resist?  You may became frozen due to fear or uncertainty or you may be steadfast, standing still knowing that you are right where you are meant to be.  At this moment, is not moving going to help you or could it put you in harm’s way?

Should I stay or should I go?

If I go there will be trouble,

And if I stay it will be double.

–Song lyrics from The Clash

I recently read that the best thing you can do, when you don’t know what to do, is to stand still.  The context was to wait on God to be your guide and advisor.  It went on to say that standing still is not inactivity or doing nothing.  It is anchoring yourself in hope, having an expectant trust in God to bring about good.  Our minds hate waiting and we can’t stand uncertainty.  Sometimes we act rashly or make snap decisions just so that we are doing something, anything.  The actions associated with fight or flight close off options as you throw yourself fully into the choice you have made.  Remember that there is power in the waiting.  The act of waiting opens you up to many of the opportunities that can present themselves. 

When we are deciding what to do, God wants to help us.  He will speak to our souls and give us a sense of peace about what we should do if we will listen closely for God’s voice.  We cannot rush things and expect everything to be clear in a hurry.  Instead, allow things to come together with God’s timing.  We’ll have an urge, a leaning, a preference for one choice over another. We may not feel 100% sure but the way is forming.  We should wait until we get the urge to move, waiting actively, not passively.  Be patient, good things take time.  The Bible says our strength will be renewed if we wait upon the Lord (Isaiah 40:31).  We will mount on eagles wings, we will run and not grow weary, we will walk and not faint.  So if we wait, once God gives the sign it is time to go, we will have all that we need to do what God is asking of us.  If God prompts you to fight, God will weaken your enemies and strengthen you for the battle He has ordained or He will fight for you (Deuteronomy 3:22).  If God is leading you away, your flight plan is designed by the Almighty, the journey and the destination will be so much better than if you tried to build an escape plan on your own.

You cannot go wrong by following God’s will for whether to fight, take flight or freeze.  If it is not clear what you should do, pray and have faith that the right course will present itself at the perfect time.  God’s plans are better than our plans.  Wait with anticipation for what God is about to do.  Be open to God’s blessings in the waiting and in the moving.  He has your best interests in His heart.

God Bless You!