Decision Making

When faced with the grey areas of life, how do you make decisions? As followers of Christ, our motivation should be to make decisions that honour and glorify God. The question for most people is: How do I do that? How do I make a decision that honours God when it comes to what job I should take, who I should marry or should I move to another country? How do you make decision that set you up for success in your life? Success in our faith means walking in the fullness of what God has called us to be. When it comes to making decisions, less is more. The no.1 Roadblock to making Godly decisions is Analysis Paralysis  Analysis paralysis a process when overanalysing over overthinking a situation can cause forward motion or decision-making to become “paralysed”, meaning that no solution or course of action is decided upon. We need to be reminded that imperfect action is always better than no action at all  We get paralysed when making a decision because: We think there is a “Godliest” option – There are times in our faith when we think there is one decision that may please God. Ultimately, unless the decision you are making is sinful, then there is  no “Godliest option” We put too much pressure on ourselves – This happens when we place all our hopes on one decision. Basically, our hopes and dreams are based on this one decision.  We are waiting for a sign from God – Too often we are waiting for a sign from God to make a decision. Over-analyze every intuition, every conversation, and every gust of wind. Every upset stomach becomes, “Could that be God or just the bad burrito? ”Proverbs 3: 5-6 | “5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; 6 in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight” 4 Steps to making Godly decisions. Note that: These 4 steps are a guideline to making Godly decisions. They aren’t set in stone. They are more like guiderails on a bowling alley. They wont; guarantee you hit a strike very time but they will prevent you from falling into the gutter. Step 1: Believe God’s Word Wisdom starts with a proper relationship and knowing of God. Proverbs 1:7 | “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction” Fear of the Lord in this context refers to a relationship with God. When you have a relationship with Him you essentially have knowledge and wisdom. The first thing you need to consider when making a decision is whether what you are considering doing is a sin? If it is, then you automatically do NOT do it. That is why you need to be in relationship with God and be connected within a Church to establish what is sin. To believe in God’s Word for decision making, you go to: God’s Gospel: The things that are most true about you can never be taken away regardless of the decisions you make. Jesus obtains the benefits of God’s blessings, not us, 2 Corinthians 1:20 | “for it is He who is the “yes” to all God’s promises. This is why through Jesus Christ our “Amen” is said to the glory of God” God’s Sovereignty: Over all of our decisions, it is God who is working all things for our good. Romans 8:28 | “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.” God’s Mission: When making a decision consider how it affects your ability make disciples of Jesus Matthew 28: 19-20 | 19 ”Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptising the in the name if the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you: and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen Every opportunity in your life has to be filtered through the question of how you can make more disciples of Jesus through this opportunity. Step 2: Listen to Godly counsel 3 Spheres of influence for Godly decisions. Godly family and friends People in the Church at large and who have demonstrated wisdom in the area you’re struggling with Your Church Pastors and Church Leaders Be careful of taking advice from those whose view is not of the Kingdom of God. Ensure that you surround yourself with people who have a relationship with God. Also, ensure that you are connected with a small group. A crowd cannot support you, you need to be connected in a small group of believers. Not all decisions will require all 3 spheres, but the big life decisions definitely will. If you really want wisdom, you need to listen most carefully when the people in these spheres disagree with you. Proverbs 12:15 | “Fools think their own way is right, but the wise listen to others.” Step 3: Do what you want/Be led by peace God wants to make our lives enjoyable. Following God is not about being stifled.  Honouring God with our decisions does not mean we are stifled, dejection and sorrowful.  Isaiah 55:12 | “For you shall go out with joy, and be led out with peace:” God is not a god of confusion. Decisions from God will never be filled with anxiety Once you have brought your decision under the authority of the Word and Godly Counsel, the only question that remains is: What Do You Want To Do? What excites you, what makes you tick? What is it that you actually want to do? Figure that out and then go do that Godly decisions do not have to be associated with sorrow and dejection Psalm 37:4 | “Delight yourself also in the Lord, and He shall give you the desires of your heart” Be