The presence of confusion isn’t always an indication of the absence of God

In my journey of really trying to live an intentional life of “not my will but yours lord", I’ve found myself in moments of intense confusion. In those moments, I’ve heard well meaning people quote this verse ‘God is not the author of confusion’. Honestly I've found that it can be thrown around quite carelessly. Because it can serve to confuse a person in distress even further just because the speaker lacks understanding.

Each time it’s said, it really does bother me immensely.

Whenever I'm faced with a situation like this, I go straight to God and ask what his take is. And very often he reminds me not to allow human interpretations, perceptions and nuances derail or distract me from purpose because although he does not author confusion in any capacity when we deal with a God who operates far above us, and are presented with his ways, it is inevitable that we WILL experience confusion. So it's very important to discern when this is the case.

Isaiah 55:8-9 let's us know that his thoughts and ways are far above our own (paraphrased). So when he reveals his will and his ways to us, for the most part we will not always understand because it confounds the ways and systems that we are used to operating within. A lack of understanding is usually a space full of confusion.

So in light of that, to be faced with confusion when following him is not always an indication that you are moving in the wrong direction. It’s an opportunity to take a pause and access.

Our emotions are alert systems that say to us ‘hmm, pay attention’. They are not to drive our decision making but instead they are to cause us to stop long enough and sit with God on whatever is triggering said emotion. In this instance confusion. This is what I mean by discern it!

It is by allowing the holy spirit to bring clarity because only he knows the heart of the Father. 1 Corinthians 2:11 says "No one can know a person’s thoughts except that person’s own spirit, and no one can know God’s thoughts except God’s own Spirit" No one includes you, your friends, your pastor or your parents unless God reveals it!

When we sit with him, we are choosing not to lean on our own or other people’s understanding or lack there off, which will always be limited in comparison to what God thinks or says. Instead, we are going to him to gain the clarity or adjustment that’s needed.

This is not to say that confusion always indicates God’s presence either. No….it’s just to say that confusion is just an emotion like any other. So best practice is to always check in with God on his truths or instructions, no matter what.

Don’t let the well meaning limited thoughts of people or even your own thoughts cause you to step away from a position that God has called you to in your pursuit of him. The only way to know for sure, is to be proactive about building intimacy with him so that you can recognize his voice to you when you ask him to reveal his perfect will for your life or your particular situation. Ask multiple times if you must, but always go to him first! When he reveals it, run with him even if it confuses you.