It doesn't matter if we're a determined decision maker or an incredibly indecisive one, we can all end up coming to the wrong conclusion. And the more complex the choices we're faced with, the more confused we can become about what to do for the best.
Before making a big decision we may call on friends for counsel, relatives for encouragement and and pray to God for guidance. But we don't have to wait until we're confronted with a tough choice before we take steps to start coming to a decision that we're confident compliments our faith, we can also work to prepare ourselves every day to face all kinds of choices with confidence by reading God's word.
God knows that we will each be required to make choices which impact our faith and our relationship with Him for better or worse. Because He's always several steps ahead of us, He's provided us with many pieces of advice for when such situations occur in the Bible.
If you're torn about which path to pick or troubled by the prospect of making the wrong choice, you can turn to His word at any time. There might not be a story or scripture that resembles your specific dilemma in an immediately obvious way, but there will be words which will help you to find an answer which reflect how God wants you to approach your particular circumstances.
Here are six Bible verses which teach us vital lessons on decision-making.
Our way is never the only way and at times it's not even the right way but God's way always is.
Psalm 19:8 - The precepts of the Lord are right, giving joy to the heart. The commands of the Lord are radiant, giving light to the eyes.
Have you ever frantically sought what the right way was and in your anxiety made a rash and wrong decision? Psalm 37 has some wise words for you.
Psalm 37:7 - Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him; do not fret when people succeed in their ways,when they carry out their wicked schemes.
The types of people that we surround ourselves with influence our decision making, whether we realise it or not. That's why it's vital that our friends aren't just there to support us in getting what we want but that they support us in getting what God wants for us too.
Proverbs 13:20 - Walk with the wise and become wise, for a companion of fools suffers harm.
Difficult decisions are often made a great deal harder when we have to make them completely on our own. Thankfully, God is always around to give us a helping hand.
John 5:30 - By myself I can do nothing; I judge only as I hear, and my judgment is just, for I seek not to please myself but him who sent me.
Deciphering what we think is right for us and what we think is right by God isn't always easy. Sometimes we can give more prominence in our lives to our own voice, instead of giving God's the prime position in our hearts. As long as we make sure that we're listening to Him and opening up our hearts and minds to His word, then we can be assured that the choices we make our those that work to glorify Him.
Proverbs 16:1-4 - To humans belong the plans of the heart, but from the Lord comes the proper answer of the tongue. All a person's ways seem pure to them, but motives are weighed by the Lord. Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and he will establish your plans. The Lord works out everything to its proper end—even the wicked for a day of disaster.
2 Timothy 1:13 - What you heard from me, keep as the pattern of sound teaching, with faith and love in Christ Jesus.
