Decisions Big and Small
Have you ever been in a pit of indecisiveness? I use the word “pit” as not being able to make a firm decision can really cause us to be in a hole from which we have difficulty digging ourselves out.
In our lifetimes we make many decisions. Some of these are life impacting like choice of mate or career. Other decisions are minor, like which party to attend or what clothes to wear. Yet every decision we make has an impact on our overall well-being and quality of life.
I definitely have some times in life where a particular decision I need to make causes me immense consternation. I can spend hours weighing pros and cons. I can convince myself firmly of one resolve only to have something come up in life that turns the decision upside down.
Typically, my own thought pattern is that I must make the right choice and be on the path that God wants for me. With that in mind, I can get quite stressed as I try to seek God’s will and make the absolute perfect choice.
When indecisiveness takes hold, it is helpful to consider these words of Scripture:
“We do not know what to do, but our eyes are upon You.” (2 Chronicles 20:12c NIV)
These words, voiced by King Jehoshaphat, are his prayer to God. He shows immense trust in God to guide him and his people through times of war and rebuilding. Jehoshaphat recognizes that God is the ultimate source of power and that He will deliver His people. There is no one else he can turn to so his people will be protected – that is a job for God alone.
In those days when we face the “I don’t knows” of life, it is helpful to consider these words of Scripture. Keeping our eyes on our Lord is critical for us when we have challenges making a decision.
In God’s eyes is there always one “right” decision? I don’t think so. God can work with us and direct us, no matter what choices we make. He takes us from where we are at and then leads us in the way that is best for us. But that only works if we keep our attention focused on Him.
I have had some big decisions to make in recent years. Sometimes, the whole decision-making process overtakes my life as I strive to discern what is best and what God wants for me. The trouble I have run into is that when I focus on how I am going to figure it out as opposed to looking to God to show me the answers, I get some major stress happening.
Should we weigh all the options when a big choice in life occurs? Absolutely. God wants us to use our heads and the intelligence He has given us. The process is much improved, however, if we think like Jehoshaphat and admit we don’t have all the answers. We need to look to the only One who does.
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