What to do when you don't know what to do

Joseph Lalonde Dec. 21, 2021

my saved content

VIEW AS
A PDF

iStock

There are times when we struggle to figure out what to do next. How do you put one foot in front of the other when you can't even take the next step?

Sometimes that's life.

We are hit with unexpected life circumstances. Your spouse decides to leave you. A child (or dog) dies. You get laid off.

These life circumstances make your next decision difficult. How do you continue forward after such a blow?

Life isn't rosy

You've been hit by a bad life circumstance. Maybe you've experienced one of the ones I've already mentioned. Maybe you've encountered a life circumstance worse than one of those.

Whatever situation you're currently in, you may feel like God has abandoned you. Or your friends and family have turned their backs on you.

This, right here, tells us life isn't rosy. Life is confusing and messy. It's dirty and ugly.

Sometimes we just don't like life. But we've got to keep on keeping on. You've got to figure out what to do when you don't know what to do next.

When I don't know what to do, I tend to do three things. These three things help give me clarity and show me the way back. I hope the following suggestions will help you get back on track when you don't know what to do.

1. Pray:

As life gets confusing, I find myself going to the One who knows more than I do (more than anyone, really). I go to God in prayer, even if I feel like God has forsaken me.

You see this in the Bible as well. Many biblical characters felt hopeless and directionless. They may have even felt like God had abandoned them. What did they do? They went to God.

Prayer can help you see your situation in a clearer light. By asking God for help, you're admitting you don't know the answers. But you do know the One who does know the answer.

2. Get outside:

For me, the outdoors is refreshing. I can go outside, walk in the grass or hit the running trails and feel better. Being outside also helps clear my mind.

The fresh air and nature reconnect me with something I've lost by being indoors so often. It's like I'm plugged back into what I was created for.

The next time you don't know what to do, try leaving the office and getting outside. The clean air, living trees, and the sounds of nature will calm and soothe you. They'll also help spark your creative thinking on what to do next.

3. Connect with others:

The times we feel the most disconnected and alone are the times we need to surround ourselves with other people. These are our friends and families. These are the people you and I may feel have abandoned us.

Yet they haven't. More often than not, it's just a slow, unintentional drifting apart from one another that we don't even notice.

Reach out to those you miss as you're struggling to make it through your current situation. Find those close friends you once had, and find out you're not alone. There are people out there who have been through what you have been through and they mayhave the answers you need.

I hope this helps you find the answers you're looking for.

For me, I tend to find my answers in God, the world He created, and the people He created. I think if you give it a try, you'll find the same thing. The answers are out there.

my saved content

VIEW AS
A PDF

Joseph Lalonde is an award-winning leadership blogger and hosted the Answers From Leadership podcast. He desires to see 20-somethings step into their God-ordained roles as leaders. Previously, on the E3 staff and currently serving in the Catalyst youth ministry of Gateway Church, Joseph has mentored many students and has seen their lives changed through this teaching. His mission is to help equip leaders with the knowledge and information to boost their leadership to the next level. This article was first published on JMLalonde.com. Used with permission Learn More »

• 6 reasons pastors and leaders need adequate sleep (by Charles Stone)
• 4 subtle signs of stress (by Charles Stone)
• When good people get depressed (by )
• “Without God, we cannot. Without us, God will not.” Here’s how that leads to rest. (by Jordan Raynor)

Free eBook

Steps to Launching Your Personal Workplace Ministry

Have you ever felt the pull to full-time ministry work as a missionary or pastor? If not, you can still make a Kingdom impact without quitting your current job. In this eBook, you will learn the four essentials that can change your perspective of work, your workplace, and most importantly, your heart.

Download Now