Since my son, John, and his wife bought an air fryer last year – and continually raved about it – my husband, Joe, and I decided that we could use one, too. For months, we shopped around online and in local stores, but we never felt moved to actually buy one. The Lord has taught me over the years to seek Him about our purchases, and to pray, “Lord, help us not to make any purchases that we will end up regretting.” So all this time, I was earnestly praying for His guidance.

I have to be honest and tell you that as I was seeking the Lord in this matter, I had already made up my mind that I wanted a dedicated air fryer, and not a combination appliance, such as an air fryer/toaster oven combo. I reasoned that we already had a toaster oven that was still working well after 20+ years, and there was no good reason to replace it. Still, we didn’t really have the counter space in our kitchen for a separate air fryer, so using reason and rationale in the matter was just causing me confusion. I finally decided to keep an open mind, and when I did, I felt as though God gave me very clear guidance for my decision. Joe was stunned when I told him that I wanted a certain air fryer that was actually a toaster oven, and when we got it home and began using it, we knew without a doubt that it was the one that the Lord had in mind for us all along.

Scripture says: “Where is the man who fears the Lord? God will teach him how to choose the best.” (Psalm 25:12 TLB) One way that the Lord “teaches” us “how to choose the best” is to encourage us to practice seeking Him in small matters, so that we will have more confidence in seeking Him in more important matters. In this case, He taught me that having my mind made up about what kind of air fryer I didn’t want was keeping me from receiving His best. When we seek God with a closed mind, we will experience confusion instead of clarity, because we are not giving Him room to lead us in the right direction. However, when we set aside our own rationale and reasoning, and invite – and submit to – His leadership in a matter, suddenly the right way becomes clear.

Remember this: God’s design for living requires that we depend on His revelation, not our own reason or logic. The next verse in this passage of Scripture says that those who allow the Lord to teach them how to choose His best “shall live within God’s circle of blessing.” (v. 13) Hallelujah! Today, ask the Lord to teach you how to choose His best in all things!

Prayer: Lord, teach me how to seek Your best for me in small things, so that I will be better equipped to seek You in more important matters. Remind me to keep an open mind and heart as I seek You, so that I won’t have to miss out on Your perfect will for me. Thank You for granting me clarification and confirmation as I pursue You and Your best for me in all things!