The Next Right Thing ~ by Jeannine

Recently, our family enjoyed a movie night.  This is a very rare occurrence because our 22 year old daughter lives three hours away from us and our 23 year old son works full time and is a full time student.  A couple weeks ago, we were all here – together.  It was so fun. I made everyone’s favorite meal and we watched Frozen II.

I am not going to advocate for the movie necessarily, as there are definitely concepts that I am not a fan of; however, there is one concept that rung true in my heart immediately.  Spoiler alert: when Anna was in deep grief and was without hope, she dug deep within herself and she remembered a lesson her parents instilled within her before their deaths. The lesson was to do the “next right thing”.  It instantly struck my heart and mind — Isn’t that exactly what our walk with God should look and BE like?  Shouldn’t we all be striving to do the next right thing?

For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them. Ephesians 2:10 ESV

I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Romans 12:1 ESV

Have you been in a place where grief and the cares of life have brought you to a place of darkness and you are seemingly paralyzed with the thoughts of the unknown – with hopelessness?  In this current COVID crisis, are you struggling with thoughts of doubt for the future? With fear? We have many examples of such scenarios in God’s Word that illustrate that we are not alone in this type of suffering. Job’s life is often one that we go to as an example of suffering – and rightfully so.  However, there are many who suffered for different reasons. There are stories of betrayal, illness, loss, and fear throughout scripture.

Personally, I tend to want to solve the “big picture” problem and, if I am unable to do that, I won’t move at all.  That desire comes from my “extremist” personality, and my fear of failure, and it motivates complacency in my life.  However, I believe that The Lord intends for us to do the “next right thing” and follow Him in faith-knowing He has ordered our steps (Job 3:14; Ps 18:36;Ps 37:23; Ps 40:2) and He is in control of our future (Isaiah 14:10).  When I felt the Lord tug at my heart using something like a Disney cartoon character, I knew I had to make “doing the next right thing” my focus.  Isn’t that just like our Father? To use the simple things in our lives to help us understand His desire for us? I am so thankful for the inspiration of the Holy Ghost to move toward a closer walk with Him. Let’s resist the urge to analyze and project what we think God is going to do or not going to do. Let’s trust Him. He is Faithful. In this time, He is directing us – to just do the next right thing.

Additional scriptures for reference & encouragement during these uncertain times:

Psalm 46:1 “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.”

Philippians 4:6-7 “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

1 John 4:18 “There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The One who fears is not made perfect in love.”

Psalm 94:19 “When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought joy to my soul.”