What you Need to Know About Making Decisions (plus a bonus video)

//  Do you have some big decisions to make? In the past few weeks, I’ve spoken with so many of you who are asking yourselves (and those around you), “What do I do now?”

That’s a good question.

I suppose you could always go back to traditional decision-making techniques such as making lists of pros and cons, weighing out the good and the bad.

Or you could look for an external ‘sign’ that could show you which way to go. You could put out a ‘fleece’ as Gideon did. (Isn’t that the go-to story that people use when trying to make decisions?)

But my friends, Gideon’s example wasn’t a sign of his faith; it was actually a sign of his unbelief. God had already spoken to him, but he was too scared to obey.

No, there must be a better way to make decisions.

Here’s what I know… 

Faith is what happens when we HEAR God’s voice (that personal, jumps-off-the-page, knowing-in-my-knower voice) and obey Him.

That’s faith. It’s that simple, and that mysterious.  //

So why is it so difficult to make decisions?

1. Fear

Fear is perhaps the biggest contributor to why we struggle to decide. We ask God for guidance and direction, and then we still falter.

• Fear of making a mistake.
• Fear of not hearing accurately.
• Fear of quitting too early.
• Fear of waiting too long.
• Fear of not having enough.
• Fear of not being enough.

You name it… Fear.

2. We don’t REALLY know who our Father is.

This is a biggie.

I remember when we first moved to South Africa. I went through deep valleys of worry and panic—so fearful that something ‘bad’ was going to happen to us.

Over time, I realized that I had an incredibly skew perception of God. Somewhere, somehow, I’d come to believe that “I was a beautiful flower…” (sounds lovely)… “and God was going to step on me to make perfume.”

What?! Are you kidding me? How warped is that?

Where on earth did I learn that? It certainly wasn’t from my parents or pastors. But somewhere in my mind and heart, the enemy had sown seeds of mistrust toward God. My unbelief and fear were a result of not truly knowing my Father.

This is what God’s Word says about His heart toward us!

1. God is not a Taker… He’s a Reward of those who seek Him!

“And it is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to him must believe that God exists and that HE REWARDS THOSE who sincerely seek him.” (Hebrews 11:6 NLT)

2. God has the BEST plan in mind for you!

“‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ says the Lord. ‘THEY ARE PLANS FOR GOOD and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.’” (Jeremiah 29:11)

3. God wants you to succeed!

“If you listen to these commands of the Lord your God that I am giving you today, and if you carefully obey them, the Lord will make you the head and not the tail, and you will ALWAYS BE ON TOP and never at the bottom.” (Deuteronomy 28:13 NLT)

4. He is the Perfect Guide!

“Your own ears will hear him. Right behind you, a voice will say, ‘THIS IS THE WAY YOU SHOULD GO,” whether to the right or to the left.” (Isaiah 30:21 NLT)

Yessssss!

Don’t those Scriptures just infuse courage into your shaky soul? When we understand these truths deep inside us, the pressure falls off.

No more fear.

No more anxiety.

Even when you don’t know what to do, trust Your Father.

Courage, friend! You can do this!

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All morning, I’ve had this song in my head. It’s an oldie but a goodie. I pray that it will comfort and encourage you as you face the battles before you.

(Back in our college days, we actually had the privilege of singing this song WITH Babbie Mason. I love her!)

“Trust His Heart,” by Babbie Mason

All things work for our good
Though sometimes we don’t see
How they could
Struggles that break our hearts in two
Sometimes blind us to the truth

Our Father knows what’s best for us
His ways are not our own
So when your pathway grows dim
And you just don’t see Him,
Remember you’re never alone

God is too wise to be mistaken
God is too good to be unkind
So when you don’t understand
When don’t see His plan
When you can’t trace His hand
Trust His heart

He sees the master plan
And He holds our future in His hand
So don’t live as those who have no hope
All our hope is found in Him

We see the present clearly
But He sees the first and the last
And like a tapestry, He’s weaving you and me
To someday be just like Him

He alone is faithful and true
He alone knows what is best for you

God is too wise to be mistaken
God is too good to be unkind
So when you don’t understand
When don’t see His plan
When you can’t trace His hand
Trust His Heart

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♥ HOORAY!

My book is available on Amazon and Kindle.

IDENTITY: Finding the Proverbs 31 Woman in the Middle of Kid Chaos (Mom Awesomeness Series)

In South Africa, you can order a physical copy from me. Send me a personal message, and we’ll make arrangements.

For more info, check out the book page here!

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Every Friday, I join an inspiring group of writers to write for FIVE MINUTES on a one-word prompt. No editing. No revising. Just WRITE. This week, the prompt word was GUIDE.

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For more information on Five Minute Friday, check out the Five Minute Friday website!