Six Steps for Wise Decision-Making
Making decisions does not have to be hard so let's keep this simple. Here are six steps to help you walk the straight path to wise and godly decisions.
APPROACH
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight. ~Proverbs 3:5-6, New International Version
Developing the habit of yielding your way for God's way is a decision that will ultimately lead to a lifetime of wise decisions.
MOTIVE
All the ways of a man are pure in his own eyes, but the Lord weighs the spirits (the thoughts and intents of the heart). ~Proverbs 16:2, Amplified Bible
Every good idea is not necessarily a GOD idea. Ask God to reveal your true intentions before you decide.
AUDIENCE
When a man’s ways please the Lord, He makes even his enemies to be at peace with him. ~ Proverbs 16:7, New King James Version
“If you live for people’s acceptance you will die from their rejection.” Lecrae
Most decisions are driven by people-pleasing. Do what keeps Jesus happy. Everyone else will be fine.
STRATEGY
Good people obtain favor from the Lord, but he condemns those who devise wicked schemes. Proverbs 12:2, NIV
Your come-up should never be to another's detriment. Save wicked for the world.
SUPPORT
Where there is no counsel, purposes are frustrated, but with many counselors they are accomplished. ~Proverbs 15:22, AMP
A large population is a king’s glory, but without subjects a prince is ruined. ~Proverbs 14:28, NIV
One of the most effective yet subtle traps of the enemy is convincing you that you can do it by yourself. YOU CAN'T. And if you still think you can, ask yourself...
Would the Master of the Universe would give me a dream that only I can handle?
Success takes supportive counsel and a supportive team. Divine teamwork makes the dream work.
TIMING
There’s an opportune time to do things, a right time for everything on the earth:... ~Ecclesiastes 3:3, the Message Translation
Just because God gives you a vision today does not mean it must come to fruition tomorrow. Everything has an opportune time and place. Focus on your approach,
motive,
audience,
strategy,
and support first
so you can be ready when the time is right.
Wisdom is like my mother's homemade chicken soup... it warms my soul but only if I eat it.
My son, eat honey, because it is good, and the drippings of the honeycomb are sweet to your taste. So shall you know skillful and godly Wisdom to be thus to your life; if you find it, then shall there be a future and a reward, and your hope and expectation shall not be cut off. ~Proverbs 24:13-14 AMP
I pray you take in the wisdom God puts before you and you see your obedience to as friend not foe. Do so and it will be the best decision you will ever make.
PHILLIPA WILLIAMS
AUTHOR | BLOGGER | MINISTRY COACH
