What Saith the Scripture?

Romans 4:3 (KJV)

³For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness.

My husband and I tend to make some pretty "radical" decisions in regards to our family. We often don't parent like most. We tend to feel led to make the types of decisions that others shy away from. And our way of life tends to make waves (especially when we are following God's instructions).
Recently we felt led to make some very big, very life changing decisions and it came with a truck load of opinions. Almost everyone we know had one (some good and some bad), but a very select few were able to point there opinions back to scripture. We really only had about 4 out of an upwards number of 50 opinions come back and say, "well this is what God's Word says about what you are doing"
I had to come to the realization that many of the opinions formed were based neither off of facts or scripture, but ideas of what others felt they were incapable of handling, and because they didn't feel equipped to handle a call like ours, in their minds we automatically became incapable as well. God doesn't call everyone to do everything. And, we know for sure that our God led decisions are ones that we even feel ill-prepared to walk out, but God never called us to do anything in our flesh. There we some that felt strongly optimistic, but they again were confident in our ability not God's.
It's difficult not to take people's opinions personally and especially not to let them become your own, but one thing we all need to remember in any decision is "What saith the Scripture?" No opinion matters, even if it is your own and even if it is meant with good intentions, if it doesn't line up with the word of God. There is not one huge decision that we've made in the last 10-12 months that hasn't lined up with the Word of God, but they haven't necessarily lined up with personal opinion and ideas of society as a whole.

Psalm 1:1-6 (NIV)

¹ Blessed is the one
who does not walk in step with the wicked
or stand in the way that sinners take
or sit in the company of mockers,
² but whose delight is in the law of the LORD,
and who meditates on his law day and night.
³ That person is like a tree planted by streams of water,
which yields its fruit in season
and whose leaf does not wither—
whatever they do prospers.

⁴ Not so the wicked!
They are like chaff
that the wind blows away.
⁵ Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment,
nor sinners in the assembly of the righteous.

⁶ For the LORD watches over the way of the righteous,
but the way of the wicked leads to destruction.

One thing we can say about the crazy decisions we make is that they work out for us. When we do what God says, our decisions have prospered. Ultimately, I want to be mindful that from here on out when I give an opinion on someone's life, I can back up what I have to say. Because my opinion doesn't matter if it doesn't line up with God. More importantly I like the way a friend of mine put it. "I'd value your opinion more if you gave it less."

Ecclesiastes 5:2-3 (NKJV)

² Do not be rash with your mouth,
And let not your heart utter anything hastily before God.
For God is in heaven, and you on earth;
Therefore let your words be few.
³ For a dream comes through much activity,
And a fool’s voice is known by his many words.

We all need to remember that more often than not, having an opinion does not automatically equal the right to express it. Just because something wouldn't work for you, doesn't mean it can't work. Don't have a fool's voice. God is dealing with them on the same level as you. Sometimes counsel is needed. Sometimes we need to give it when it isn't asked for. Sometimes we need to not give it, even if it is asked for. But be sure that it is counsel that you are giving when you do and not just opinion.