Like a deer in headlights

“As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, O God.” Psalm 42:1

Like a deer in headlights is a funny idiom referring to someone being so startled, confused or fearful, they cannot think clearly. This is a metaphor to actual deer who freeze in place when they are caught in the headlights of a car.

Sometimes the decisions we make are easy, we know without question we’re making the correct choice. But other times there are so many options, how do we know we’re making the right choice and following the will of God?

As our daughter is entering her final semester of nursing school, she will be inundated with the choices she has to make regarding where she wants to be employed. There is such a shortage of nurses right now, I’m sure she will have so many options to choose from it will be confusing which is the best fit. When we seek God’s will, we don’t have to second guess our decision or be fearful in taking that first step.

We know without question God can work the good in all things, even when we make the wrong choice, but as believers, we want to start off on the right foot. That’s why we have to pray for guidance and discernment so we know in our heart which will be the correct path.

I love the assurance Proverbs 16:9 gives, “In his heart a man plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps.” I believe that God really does honor those who are His children and guides us through the countless decisions we make. I also believe He throws obstacles in our paths sometimes to sway us in the direction He has planned for us.

Regardless of where our daughter starts her career, I know the Lord will bless her as she launches out on her own. I love Jeremiah 29:11 reminding us about how the Lord knows the plans He has for us, plans to prosper and plans to give us hope for the future. With promises like that, we no longer have to be like a deer in the headlights as we face life choices. We just have to go to our Heavenly Father in prayer and seek His infinite wisdom because He will give us the peace to know we are stepping in the right direction.