Asked by Makayla
How do you make important decisions? How does God factor into your decision making? What should you consider when making an important decision?
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All Answers 1
Answered by
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Short answer first
- Use a clear process: define the decision, gather facts, list options, set criteria, weigh them, consult, decide, act, review.
- If you’re a person of faith, bring the decision to God through prayer and Scripture, look for wise counsel, and test options against your values and calling.
- Consider: alignment with values/calling, consequences (short/long), risks and mitigations, facts vs feelings, timing, opportunity cost, counsel, and spiritual peace/confirmation.
A practical step-by-step process
1. Define the decision clearly. What exactly must you decide, and by when?
2. Gather essential information. What are the facts, unknowns, and assumptions?
3. Generate alternatives. Don’t let the first option blind you to others.
4. Set criteria. What matters most? Impact, finances, time, relationships, integrity, growth, legacy.
5. Evaluate options. Use a pros/cons list, a weighted decision matrix, or scenario thinking.
6. Consult others. Seek experts, mentors, family, and people who will live with the consequences.
7. Pray and reflect. Invite God into the process; sit in silence if you find it helpful.
8. Decide and commit. Give the decision a deadline, then act.
9. Monitor and adjust. Reassess if new information appears; make course corrections.
How God can factor into your decisions (for Christians)
- Bring the decision to God in prayer, asking for wisdom (James 1:5) and for a heart that’s open to correction.
- Test options against Scripture and clear moral teachings. God’s will is never contrary to God’s Word.
- Seek the counsel of mature believers (Proverbs 11:14; 15:22). God often speaks through other people.
- Look at providence and circumstances: doors opening or closing can be informative, but don’t read petty coincidences as unambiguous signs.
- Use inner peace as part of discernment: a settled heart (“peace that passes understanding,” Phil. 4:6–7) can be a confirmation, but beware of confusing anxiety or wishful thinking for guidance.
- Remember freedom and responsibility: many decisions are moral-neutral and require wisdom rather than a “divine sign.” God gives us reason, talents, and community to decide responsibly.
What to consider in any important decision
- Core values and calling: Does this option fit who you are and what you’re called to do?
- Long-term vs short-term impact: How will this choice affect you and others years from now?
- Relationships: Who will be affected—and how? Are key relationships strengthened or weakened?
- Financial and time cost: Can you afford it emotionally, financially, and practically?
- Risks and fallback plans: What could go wrong and how will you respond?
- Opportunity cost: What are you giving up by choosing A over B?
- Information gaps: What do you still need to know, and how quickly can you learn it?
- Biases and emotions: Are you acting out of fear, pride, avoidance, or hope?
- Legal/ethical considerations: Is the choice consistent with conscience and law?
- Test of fruit: Does this course produce the kind of character and results you want?
Tools you can use
- Weighted decision matrix (score options against criteria).
- Pros/cons list with probability-adjusted outcomes.
- Pre-mortem: imagine the decision failed—what caused it, and can you prevent that?
- Small experiments or trial runs before full commitment.
- Deadlines and commitment devices to prevent paralysis.
A brief prayer/phrase to use when you decide
“Lord, give me wisdom to choose well, courage to act, and peace about the path I take. Help me honor You in this decision and use it for good. Amen.”
Example for a writer
- Decision: Do I take a traditional publishing contract or self-publish?
- Criteria: creative control, time to market, income split, marketing responsibility, long-term career goals.
- Steps: research offers, talk to agent/editor/fellow authors, run numbers, pray and seek counsel, maybe do a short self-pub test to gather data, then decide.
Final thought
Good decisions come from combining honest information, clear priorities, wise counsel, disciplined thinking, and spiritual discernment. Bring God into the process, but use the tools and gifts He’s given you—reason, community, and conscience—to choose and then move forward with confidence. If you want, tell me the specific decision you’re facing and I’ll help you work through it step by step.
- Use a clear process: define the decision, gather facts, list options, set criteria, weigh them, consult, decide, act, review.
- If you’re a person of faith, bring the decision to God through prayer and Scripture, look for wise counsel, and test options against your values and calling.
- Consider: alignment with values/calling, consequences (short/long), risks and mitigations, facts vs feelings, timing, opportunity cost, counsel, and spiritual peace/confirmation.
A practical step-by-step process
1. Define the decision clearly. What exactly must you decide, and by when?
2. Gather essential information. What are the facts, unknowns, and assumptions?
3. Generate alternatives. Don’t let the first option blind you to others.
4. Set criteria. What matters most? Impact, finances, time, relationships, integrity, growth, legacy.
5. Evaluate options. Use a pros/cons list, a weighted decision matrix, or scenario thinking.
6. Consult others. Seek experts, mentors, family, and people who will live with the consequences.
7. Pray and reflect. Invite God into the process; sit in silence if you find it helpful.
8. Decide and commit. Give the decision a deadline, then act.
9. Monitor and adjust. Reassess if new information appears; make course corrections.
How God can factor into your decisions (for Christians)
- Bring the decision to God in prayer, asking for wisdom (James 1:5) and for a heart that’s open to correction.
- Test options against Scripture and clear moral teachings. God’s will is never contrary to God’s Word.
- Seek the counsel of mature believers (Proverbs 11:14; 15:22). God often speaks through other people.
- Look at providence and circumstances: doors opening or closing can be informative, but don’t read petty coincidences as unambiguous signs.
- Use inner peace as part of discernment: a settled heart (“peace that passes understanding,” Phil. 4:6–7) can be a confirmation, but beware of confusing anxiety or wishful thinking for guidance.
- Remember freedom and responsibility: many decisions are moral-neutral and require wisdom rather than a “divine sign.” God gives us reason, talents, and community to decide responsibly.
What to consider in any important decision
- Core values and calling: Does this option fit who you are and what you’re called to do?
- Long-term vs short-term impact: How will this choice affect you and others years from now?
- Relationships: Who will be affected—and how? Are key relationships strengthened or weakened?
- Financial and time cost: Can you afford it emotionally, financially, and practically?
- Risks and fallback plans: What could go wrong and how will you respond?
- Opportunity cost: What are you giving up by choosing A over B?
- Information gaps: What do you still need to know, and how quickly can you learn it?
- Biases and emotions: Are you acting out of fear, pride, avoidance, or hope?
- Legal/ethical considerations: Is the choice consistent with conscience and law?
- Test of fruit: Does this course produce the kind of character and results you want?
Tools you can use
- Weighted decision matrix (score options against criteria).
- Pros/cons list with probability-adjusted outcomes.
- Pre-mortem: imagine the decision failed—what caused it, and can you prevent that?
- Small experiments or trial runs before full commitment.
- Deadlines and commitment devices to prevent paralysis.
A brief prayer/phrase to use when you decide
“Lord, give me wisdom to choose well, courage to act, and peace about the path I take. Help me honor You in this decision and use it for good. Amen.”
Example for a writer
- Decision: Do I take a traditional publishing contract or self-publish?
- Criteria: creative control, time to market, income split, marketing responsibility, long-term career goals.
- Steps: research offers, talk to agent/editor/fellow authors, run numbers, pray and seek counsel, maybe do a short self-pub test to gather data, then decide.
Final thought
Good decisions come from combining honest information, clear priorities, wise counsel, disciplined thinking, and spiritual discernment. Bring God into the process, but use the tools and gifts He’s given you—reason, community, and conscience—to choose and then move forward with confidence. If you want, tell me the specific decision you’re facing and I’ll help you work through it step by step.
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