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The last couple of years have been decision making years for me. Ones that changed the course of my life in many different areas. In the past few years, my husband and I changed towns (and homes). We changed churches. I changed my career. There was definitely more than one emotion-filled crying-out to God prayers and asking for His wisdom in these areas of life change. I fasted, I prayed, I studied, and I read books on decisions. I’m still (and always) learning, but wanted to share some of my main takeaways with each of you.
Here are a few principles that have helped me along the way when I’m making decisions, specifically in regards to God’s will.
Principle 1: God’s will is about the person you become. Not a specific dot on the page of life that you’re trying to figure out. 1 Thessalonians 4:3 – “For this is the will of God, your sanctification…” (Note: Sanctification is a Bible word that means growing and changing to become more and more like Jesus.)
“As we seek Him and grow closer to Him, He will make sure you are where you are supposed to be.” – James MacDonald
Principle 2: God’s will is the Word of God.
If our decision goes against the Bible, then it’s not in His will. The specific decisions of life (not directly answered in the Bible) are then based on our wisdom that God gives us in making a smart, good decision that brings glory to Him.
Principle 3: All decisions have an element of good and an element of sad because there is no such thing as a perfect decision.
“Even right choices will have elements of things that might feel difficult.” – Lysa Terkeurst
Principle 4: After making even a good decision, it’s normal to have some things you don’t like about it. There are pros and cons to every decision we make. Remember, there is no perfect decision.
When we experience the cons to our decision, don’t freak out that we made the “wrong” decision. There is no perfect decision.
Principle 5: Even if I make the wrong decision, God still has a great plan for me. (There is no “Plan B” with God.) There has been so much FEAR in my decision making in the past because I did not understand this principle. I thought I had to search and find and hit that “dot” of life – you know, the dot of where exactly I was “supposed” to be and what I was “supposed” to be doing. But what if I don’t hit that dot? What if I’m not only be on “Plan B”, but I’m also a huge disappointment to God because I missed the “dot”? It was so scary to think this way. Some of you understand the amount of anxiety I experienced when searching for this non-existent “dot”. What FREEDOM I received when I applied Romans 8:28 (paraphrased below) to this area of my life.
God works ALL THINGS together in His plan for GOOD for those who love Him.
Principle 6: Instead of worrying and debating over what decision to make, instead focus on growing my relationship with God. He will NOT LET ME fall off a cliff. Psalm 37:4 – Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart. As I grow closer to God and “delight in Him”, what HE desires will become MY desires.
I’ll close by sharing one more verse with each of you that I have hanging up in my kitchen. I love seeing this verse and how it reminds me that as I strive to make wise decisions, all I need to do is ASK God for wisdom and His answer is always YES!”If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all…” James 1:5