7 Tools for Making Decisions

Sometimes you just need a few decision making tools that are practical, helpful and beneficial for real life.

Don’t you love decision time? #insertlaugh

Big decisions. Small decisions. Hard decisions.

I had a few medical decisions to make, a decision about a new project, when to start doing something, when to stop doing something… things that would really affect my life.

To say yes or no, go with it or hold back, keep moving forward or just wait.

In the past, I have always made quick decisions. When an idea is presented, I think it through and then go with whatever I feel. I may pray about it for a few days, but I generally can give a quick answer.

I think it is my multi-tasking, get-it-done personality. I love checking things off the list and waiting in limbo does not bode well for my thought processes.

So I give that quick answer and then quickly realize that I should NOT be doing it or that should HAVE done it… thinking, “Why did I do that???”

How did I get myself in this predicament? What do I do now?

I am learning, through these experiences, how to be patient and how to wait and then I will be able to give an answer that I know I’ve thought about, prayed over and obeyed.

Some of you may be facing decisions right now.

None of us like finding ourselves in the “Why did I do that” place.

It doesn’t matter how big or how small the decision, the Bible gives us advice on what to do.

We all know that Proverbs is a book about how to get wisdom, understanding and discernment.

I don’t know about you, but as I mom and a wife and a woman of God, I want those things.

I want to be wise. I want to have true understanding of God’s Word and I want to be able to discern right and wrong in every situation in life.

Those are good life goals. Solid life skills that God promises to give us if we seek Him first.

Just being able to make right decisions through prayer and seeking God is a big part of that learning process and achieving those goals.

We need the right tools in place to make decisions with that kind of wisdom.

 

Decision Making Tools

1} Give it some thought. Proverbs 14:8 says “The wisdom of the prudent is to give thought to their ways…” – We have to give it some thought, really think every angle through. Be prudent in your thinking and allow God to lead you.

2} Just because it seems right doesn’t mean it is. Proverbs 14:12 says “There is a way that seems right to man but in the end it leads to death.” – Even what seems right, unfortunately, may be the wrong decision and might not be God’s best for you. We must change the question? What is right in God’s eyes rather than our own?

3} Be patient and don’t hurry. Proverbs 14:22 says “A patient man has great understanding…” – How patient are we when it comes to making purchases, planning our days or choosing a path? Do we quickly say yes or no? Are we patient enough to seek God first?

4} Seek council from someone you trust. Proverbs 15:22 says “Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed.” – Make sure you have all the information before you make a decision. Talk to people, ask questions, and seek godly advice. But this is where patience comes in. Get all the info before you make a decision and sometimes, that takes time.

5} Be sure to check your heart. Proverbs 16:2 says “All a man’s ways seem innocent to him, but motives are weighed by the Lord.” – What are your true motives behind your plans? Think about why you are doing what you are doing or why you need that in your life. Ask God to shine His light on your motivations and let Him show you new things about your heart.

6} Take the time to pray it through and commit this decision to God. Proverbs 16:3 says “Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and your plans will succeed.” – Are you committing your ways to the Lord? Have you asked him to be a part of your plans? BEFORE you are already IN those plans?

7} Trust God with the results. Proverbs 16:4 says “The Lord works out everything to His own ends…” – This is where trust comes in. Do you trust God with your life and your decisions and your plans knowing He will work it out? Do you trust Him even when His answer isn’t what you want or in the timing you understand?

These verses have been true wisdom to me in the past few months. Yet, this is just from the book of Proverbs. God’s word is full of so much more!

God is faithful to show us things when we need them. These steps from Proverbs will go a long way in helping us seek Him in our decision making.

I’m really trying to follow these steps before I make a decision or plan something.

It takes time, but that time is valuable. That time causes true growth not only in your character but in your relationship with God.

I want to be successful in God’s eyes with my life. I want His opinion to matter most. I want to make decisions that fit with His plan for my life. I want His heart to shine through in all I do.

Which means getting better at making God-chosen decisions and letting Him engineer the details.

What verses speak to you when you need to make a decision? How do you seek Him first in times of deciding what to do or how to do it?

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