How to Make a Decision
Welcome friends.
I am currently in the midst of making several big decisions for my life, and I’m feeling a little lost and stuck in the process.
Some of these decisions are of my own choosing… things that don’t necessarily need to change, but I’m wondering if a different course of action will lead to better results.
Others are not of my choosing, and these situations are in a bit of a time crunch with deadlines looming and tasks needing to be completed.
Neither scenario feels better than the other, although the deadlines are causing more imminent stress.
I’m sure you’re screaming at the screen right now, asking if I’ve prayed about it. The answer is yes, a lot. Especially for the decisions with time constraints. My husband and I have been diligently praying for answers, and neither of us feel confident that we know God’s will for us in this area.
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How to Make a Decision
So with God seemingly quiet in this area, I’m left researching and learning how to make a decision when God feels silent.
Pray.
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
16 Rejoice always, 17 pray without ceasing, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
I mentioned above that my husband and I have spent a lot of time already in prayer. That’s because we know that prayer time is an essential part of decision-making, and we won’t know what God wants us to do if we don’t ask Him.
Sometimes though, like in our case, we still aren’t receiving an answer, one way or another. Sometimes this means that our answer is to wait. We don’t have enough information to make a decision. When we’re in this place, there are other ways to pursue God to determine His will for us.
Jump into the Word.
2 Timothy 3:16-17
16 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.
God’s Word is such a valuable asset in the lives of Christians. God uses His Word to equip us to do the work that He has for us. It makes sense, therefore, that we should turn to it when we’re looking to make a decision.
I’m not saying the Bible is a guidebook with every answer to every specific question (although it has worked out that way for me sometimes). More so, if we’re spending time in God’s Word, then we’re better aligning our hearts to be in His will. When we focus our eyes on God instead of our circumstances around us, our priorities will naturally line up how they’re supposed to. This can only happen if we’re spending consistent time in His Word.
Seek godly counsel.
Proverbs 11:14
14 Where there is no guidance, a people falls, but in an abundance of counselors there is safety.
Another way that God helps us make decisions is by putting godly people around us that we can turn to for counsel.
These people aren’t meant to make the decision for us, but rather offer insights or perspectives that we may not have considered on our own.
Other people are just another blessing that God provides for us, and we should turn to one another in these times.
Assess your fear.
1 John 4:18
18 There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love.
I think many times, fear is the main factor that’s holding us back from making a decision. I know that’s the case for me in a couple of the situations I’m facing.
But God doesn’t use fear to drive us, so if we are trying to make a decision out of fear, then we are trying to make a decision outside of God. God’s perfect love drives out our fear.
Many times, I’ve been fearful moving forward in God’s will, but He meets me where I am and gives me peace and the courage to move through my fear toward His will.
Looking at the decisions I’m currently facing, fear is definitely getting in my way.
A lot of my hesitations for moving forward are because I am fearful of the outcome – on both sides. I need to remove the fears I have from my decision and reassess my options.
Make a move.
Romans 12:2
2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.
During my research, I came across this great article and video by Kaci Nicole. She uses the analogy of a GPS rerouting us when we make a wrong turn. God will do the same thing.
I’ve had many instances in my life where I try to move forward in a decision and God shuts the door. That makes the decision for me when He does that, so I need to trust that as I move forward with my decisions, God will close doors as necessary and reroute me when I’m headed the wrong way.
Many times, He can’t guide me if I’m paralyzed and not making any sort of movement forward. So if I’ve done all of the other things and know that my heart is aligned with God and His will for me, then I need to move forward with an action and trust that God will redirect me as necessary to keep me on His path.
Lord, I am so grateful that you are the guardian of my path. I need to drop my fears and trust that you will close doors as necessary to keep me going in the right direction.
You provide so many wonderful resources for us for making decisions, and I am so grateful for your Word and the godly people that you’ve placed in my life. I pray for the courage to move forward with my decisions in confidence, trusting that you will keep me going the right way, redirecting me as necessary. Thank you for your guidance in my life. In Jesus’ name, amen.
I know that as long as I’m on God’s path, I’m on the right path for my life, and I need to remember that God doesn’t drive me through fear. If I’m paralyzed by fear when I’m trying to make a decision, then I am not resting in God’s peace, and I won’t be able to move forward.
I pray these tips are helpful for you in learning how to make a decision. I’ve learned some things as well, and I am going to implement these and move forward in my decisions, trusting that God will direct me and redirect me as necessary.
Blessings Friend.
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