Decisions, Decisions

  Are you a person who makes decisions quickly and easily, or are you a person who deliberates and agonizes for hours or even days over each choice?  When it comes to making choices, I happen to be a person who likes to be in charge of making the decisions, and I usually think I do a pretty good job of it... not that anyone's asking or anything.  But even for those of us who feel confident being in charge and calling the shots, sometimes there are those major life choices that make us wish someone else could just tell us what to do or how to handle it.  If you're facing a big decision right now, maybe a move, job change, marriage, adoption, or any number of other life decisions, know that even though we don't have a crystal ball to tell us what to choose, there is a way of making a decision with clarity and confidence.  Let me share with you my advice for tackling those once in a lifetime type choices, and hopefully you can put your mind to rest a bit.
  There are always those split second decisions where you don't have time to think and you must just choose, but in cases where you need to make decision and you have a little bit of time, here's what I always tell those who come to me for help.

  1.  Set aside ten minutes daily for one week to pray over your decision.
       Taking those ten minutes a day to pray and actively seek wisdom about what you should do will help you to really clarify in your mind what your choices are, and if you are taking the time daily to pray about it, this can be a very focused time for you to really get the ideas and answers into your mind.

  2.  Listen to what gives you peace.
       When you set aside those ten minutes each day, take part of that time to really just listen for what the Holy Spirit places on your heart or what you feel gives you the most peace.  Most of the time we know what choice we should make, but sometimes we talk ourselves out of it because of fear or other people's opinions.  If you really sit down and think about the options though, which one gives you peace in your heart.  Most likely, that is the one you should pursue.

3.  Choose not to worry about the decision.
     Aside from the ten minutes you are setting aside to focus on the decision making process, do not worry about, mull over, or deliberate your choices.  You will only create confusion and stress in your mind by constantly thinking about what to do, and the Bible clearly tells us that confusion is not of God.  (2 Timothy 1:7) (1 Corinthians 14:33)

4.  Be firm about your choice.
     At the end of the time period that you have set to pray, whether it is a week, three days, or a month if you have the time, make your decision, and then stick with it and let it all the doubts or questions go.  Once you have made your decision, act as though it is your only option.  Do not continue to deliberate.  Move forward and do what you know needs to be done.

  For many of us, we think that if we avoid a hard decision long enough it will eventually get made for us, and this may be the case in some instances, but God gave us the ability to choose, and I believe that we honor Him by seeking His will and actively making choices for our lives.  Do not get caught in indecision and deliberation.  The devil would love to keep you useless and ineffective trapped in a web of confusion and choices.  Do not get weighed down by your options.  Make a decision and stand by it.  Whatever you need to decide about, use the steps above, and make your choice.  I'm waiting to see you succeed!

~K.W.