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Facing Tough Decisions? Seek encouragement and help! When is the latest time that you had to make a tough decision? It may have been a decision involving work or a relationship. Or perhaps it centered upon your family or kids. On the one hand, sometimes life’s circumstances allows us to prepare for making decisions, allowing us to gather information that would help us determine what kind of decision to make. However on the other hand, life comes at us so fast so as to cause us to make immediate decisions “on the spot.” We make these kinds of decisions daily if we find ourselves behind the wheel in Pittsburgh traffic. J We also find ourselves having to make immediate decisions about moral issues or as it relates to the direction of life we pursue.
Indeed, making tough decisions requires wisdom. All throughout the Bible we find people making tough decisions. For instance, it was Joshua who said, “Now fear the Lord and serve him will all faithfulness. Choose for yourself this day whom you will serve … but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” (Josh 24:14,15). It was Elijah the prophet who asked of his people, “How long will you waver between two opinions? If the Lord is God, follow Him, but if Baal (a false Canaanite god of that day) is God, follow him.” (I Kings 18:21).
Practicing wisdom in making tough a decision is also required in making prudent chooses. Consider the value of Proverbs 4:5-7, “Get wisdom, get understanding; do not forget my words or swerve from them. Do not forsake wisdom, and she will protect you. Love wisdom and she will watch over you. Wisdom is supreme; therefore get wisdom.” We are invited to consider God’s ways for our life as well as God’s plan for our life, for ultimately in all the tough decisions that we make God has a purpose for us. It was the Apostle Paul who said, “Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is – his good, pleasing, and perfect will.” (Romans 12:2)
Don’t miss those last three statements – God’s “good, pleasing and perfect will.” That’s great news, isn’t it? Stop and consider that God has a “good, pleasing and perfect will” for each of us! Thus, when faced with tough decisions, the person who aims to follow God will discerningly yet confidently ask one’s self, “What is God’s good, pleasing and perfect will in this situation?” As we trust God in the process of making tough decisions, it’s God’s Spirit who promises to direct us in making the right decision at the right time according to God’s good, pleasing and perfect will for our lives! In this we find encouragement, hope, direction, and joy!
So entrust your life to God’s direction and purpose the next time you face a tough decision. Rely on His promises, and proceed with confidence in all the decisions of life you face!
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