Making decisions is not always easy. As children, we are helped by our parents and other adults. As young adults, though, we may listen to the advice of friends and family and still not find the answer that feels right. When it comes time for us to begin making our own decisions, how do we know what is truly right for us? We may yearn for someone to turn to for help, support, and encouragement, someone with the perfect answer. Whom can we trust?

We can trust God! And the right answer always comes clear when we turn to Him, seeking His will.

As a child, I was greatly impressed by a painting of a father and daughter standing in an elevator. It was the child's first ride, and her small hand was securely clasped around the father's little finger, as if to say, "If I hold on tight, nothing will go wrong." Her trust in her father's care was a reminder to me of my inseparable relation to the one, omnipotent, omnipresent God, the true Father of us all.

Freedom from fear comes from trust in God, good, and from the spiritual understanding that He is all-powerful Life and Love. The inner conviction that we are not alone but can rely on the one God for help enables us to break free of trust in human opinions and to find appropriate answers and true consolation. Trust in a person or group of people doesn't always work out; in fact, it often confuses and misleads. But consistent trust in and obedience to God bring success to our endeavors. Why? Because God's guidance is always right, and His will for each of us is infinitely good.

If feelings of fear and doubt tempt you to question your relation to God, you can find encouragement and strength from these words of the Psalmist: "I have set the Lord always before me: because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved" (Ps. 16:8). Looking with sincerity to God for direction, you are guided in the way that He points out. Secure in His love, you confidently follow, knowing at each step that you are never separated from His tender care and guidance.

Following God is not a blind or foolish thing. Why? Because God, the all-knowing Mind, is the only source of wisdom. This realization opens thought to the healing influence of Christ, Truth, which dispels feelings of confusion, hopelessness, apathy—and just plain fear of making a wrong decision. Even if you have taken a wrong turn, or hit what seems to be a dead end, you should not be discouraged. This is an opportunity for drawing closer to God in order to see the good He is providing you each moment. Humbly yielding to His guidance, you can rest assured of your safety in His ever-present love. You are His child, and He takes you each step of the way.

Knowing I could rely on God's guidance and protection helped me, as a young adult, to make an important decision concerning my future. Having recently graduated from high school, I was living alone and wanted to obtain a college education. It felt right to move to a city where both education and employment opportunities existed. But my situation seemed extreme. I had no income, and my family and friends were opposed to my move. There was no job, friends, or housing awaiting me where I was headed; but through prayer, I had realized it was the right thing for me to do.

My desire for God to lead me was a prayer from the heart. And my answer was realized through a deep, inner calmness. I found a discussion of faith in The Interpreter's Bible helpful. It says " ... faith is obedience to God's command at a moment of crisis ... and ... it is trustful action based on reliance on God's power to do what was wholly contrary to human reason and experience." ^{The Interpreter's Bible (Nashville, Tennessee: Abingdon Press, 1951-1957), Vol. XI, p. 731 .} Although it was not yet clear how my needs would be met, I saw that God had equipped me, as His child, with wisdom, intelligence, and spiritual understanding to deal with what lay ahead. Fear of the future and for my well-being was replaced with the feeling that God's all-powerful love was guiding me rightly.

In patient confidence, I began the journey. I held to this passage from the Bible: "Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law" (Ps. 119:18). Arriving in the big city, I went directly to a temporary employment service. Since it was Friday, the large reception area was filled with adults waiting for the next week's assignment. While I was talking with the receptionist, the manager came out to the reception desk to take an incoming call. He then asked if anyone in the room was a legal secretary. I was the only one who volunteered. The manager explained that the job paid expenses in advance and time and a half for working on the weekend.

During this conversation, a young woman walked up to the desk and introduced herself, explaining she was leaving town for the weekend. Handing me her apartment key, she said trustingly: "You will need a place to stay. And by the way, I would be grateful if you would eat the leftovers in the refrigerator!" In a matter of minutes I had obtained a job, money, temporary residence, and food! Although I had been expecting my prayers to be answered, I was awestruck at the immediacy with which my needs had been met.

Trusting God's infinite love requires that you turn to Him obediently, fully expecting your needs to be met. You have refuge in the knowledge that you are never separated from God's care. And you can rejoice in the understanding that God provides for your every need, as Christ Jesus showed in his many healing works. Speaking of the inexhaustible nature of divine Love, Mary Baker Eddy says, "Divine Love always has met and always will meet every human need" (Science and Health, p. 494). You, too, can prove this for yourself.