More about decision-making. You’re the one making it.
Decision-making for the small thing
Yesterday, I purposely put decision-making to the test. I consciously monitored my every move with the awareness that I was the one making the decision to do what I was doing. That doesn’t sound like much, does it? But it made an enormous in how I viewed my life.
Because I was conscious of my actions, I came to realize that every decision, not just the big ones, was a deliberate choice.
Most of us are quite capable when it comes to making significant decisions. However, the minute details of our daily lives sometimes elude our attention in terms of the choices presented to us This experimint of mine proved to be enlightening, as it highlighted the possibility of being mindful of my decisions on a minute-by-minute basis, provided that I took full responsibility for each and every one of them. It became evident to me that every choice, no matter how small, ultimately bore my imprint.
The decision to indulge in a tempting donut was entirely my own. Despite any justifications that may have arisen, the fundamental truth remained unaltered – it was a decision made by me. This realization empowered me to embrace accountability for the consequences of my actions.
Feelings of empowerment
It’s so strange, but that little insight gave me such a feeling of empowerment; I can’t really explain it. It was freeing in the oddest way. In the past, I would have chastised myself continuously, but for what purpose? What good does hanging onto guilt over a stupid decision do but keep the stupid decision alive?
In the past, even though I knew I was a good decision-maker about big things, I wasn’t about little everyday things. And those are the ones that really matter, aren’t they? Because all those little decisions are the basis for the bigger ones. Could that be why I struggled in other areas of my life? Because I hadn’t mastered some of the smaller details of my
God’s timing, how mysterious it is, that He can bring such insight on such an ordinary day.
I have a hunch I have not made this as clear as I wanted to so I suggest if you don’t get it, you try it yourself. Take a whole day and monitor your every move, reminding yourself that with each action you engage in, each word you speak, and each thing you eat, you are the one making the decision. If you are a believer in Christ, you can’t say, “The devil made you do it”’ because the Bible clearly teaches we are tempted because of our own desires.
Satan only has the power we give him.
(To be clear, though, I am not referring to those activities you need to do to live your life, like taking care of your family, being a good employee or employer, taking care of yourself, etc. I am referring to occasions where we have decisions we can voluntarily make. Even when we think certain decisions are out of our control, we can still choose our attitude.)
This was not what I was going to write about but it was such a “A-Ha” moment, I wanted to share it with you. Here’s the next part I had planned on sharing with you.
Have I been praying about it?
If we’ve known there’s an issue to be decided, and we haven’t been praying, we might as well toss a coin. There are times, of course, that we need an answer, and we need it quickly. God knows that, and God honors that. But to expect God to give instant direction about an important decision that we’ve known about for a long time, slaps of getting God’s role and ours reversed. He’s not at our beck and call like some sort of genie. He’s God, and we are treading on dangerous territory when we treat Him as though He’s our instant answer man.
Have I been praying about my decisions?
This is a little different from the first point. God’s word is clear. If we’re going to know God, we have to know who God is. We only learn that when we spend time with Him in prayer. Yes, God hears the Christian’s prayer-no matter what. Do you think Daniel could ever have prayed the way he does in chapter 9 if he hadn’t been praying long before that? Prayer is like anything else; the more we practice it, the better we get. If it weren’t like that, why do you suppose the giants of the faith, past and present, weren’t been giants in their prayer life first? It is through prayer and studying God’s word that we even know what we can pray for.
Will this decision align with God’s word?
God will never, ever lead us to any action contrary to His word.
Never.
But we have to know what His word teaches if we are to know that in the first place. There are some requests God will not honor. For example, God will never honor a relationship between a man and a woman that is built on intimacy outside of marriage or that is built on deception. He can’t because marriage is a sacrament, and yet I’ve actually run into Christians who’ve asked God to bless their illicit relationship.
God never instructs us to do anything outside His will. But unless you know His will as revealed in Scripture, you won’t know what that is
Will my decision impinge in any way with my relationship with my family?
When making decisions, it is crucial to seek alignment with God’s word and consider the impact on our relationships. Our choices should never compromise the values and principles outlined in His teachings. Family plays a significant role in our lives, and any decision that jeopardizes these relationships may not be in line with God’s plan for us. Let’s remember that decisions have consequences that extend beyond ourselves and can affect those closest to us.
Our families are given to us. Our relationships with our spouses, parents, and children come right after our relationships with God. If this undertaking is going to damage any of those relationships, I assume it’s not from God.
Will my decision-making bring me closer to God?
(While my decision to eat the donut did not damage my relationship with God in any significant way, it didn’t help either, except in perhaps the sense that I didn’t trust Him for the tiniest decisions in my life.
Everything that happens in our lives is meant to draw us closer to God. It is crucial to evaluate whether our decions will draw us closer to God or lead us away from His path. Every decision we make should ultimately align with our spiritual journey and bring us closer to Him. If it won’t, it isn’t from Him. Sometimes, God may well lead us to an action that makes us a little anxious. I’ve learned that quite often, God leads me into unknown waters. But if I start to sink, that may not necessarily mean it wasn’t from God in the first place. It may mean I have a faith issue!
Remember, God may lead us down paths that challenge us and push us out of our comfort zones. It is during these moments of uncertainty that our faith is tested and strengthened. If we find ourselves struggling or sinking, it could be a sign of a faith issue that requires introspection and spiritual growth.
More about decision-making tomorrow.
God bless each of you.
