Two-Step Decision Making

(Updated 5/3/2023)

My perspective on decision-making changed recently and I decided to rewrite this post. Decision-making is a fact of life that greatly affects the course of it. We need to be confident with the decision we choose. But how?

The Biblical Approach

As believers, we're given instruction on this. Here's how:

1. In all thy ways acknowledge Him;
2. And He will direct thy paths.  (Proverbs 3:6)

Acknowledge Him in all your ways.

First, seek to know Him in everything you do, think, and feel. If you believe that you're never really alone, that God is always with you, then the next step is acknowledging He's with you by eagerly getting to know Him. We can know Him more as we:

1. Engage in each moment wholeheartedly and honestly while walking hand-in-hand with the Master. 
2. Observe the world around you to find Him in it. 
3. Question things that just don't make sense. 
4. Struggle to find the answer through His word, authorities on His word, and conversation with other believers. 
5. Pray in response to what you find, still question, and through every situation. 
6. Apply the lessons He's teaching you. 
7. Talk to others about what He's doing in your life.

Trust Him to direct your path. 

The more we come to know Him, the more we trust Him with everything. Even decision making. We do this by being faithful in today - in what's right in front of us, this moment - and we trust Him with tomorrow.

Here are two visualizations to help you return the decision-making process back to His hands.

1. Picture it as a radioactive envelope, clearly marked as such. Anytime invasive thoughts concerning the decision, or your future, intrude, remind yourself, "Oh, this isn't for me," and send it on to God. (Brant Hansen)
2. Visualize yourself placing the decision in a box. Wrapping it nicely and giving it to God on His throne. Watch Him as He gently opens it and considers it. As you walk away, remind yourself your future is safe in His hands. He cares for you, He loves you, and only He can make the best decision for you. (So Stick a Geranium in Your Hat and Be Happy by Barbara Johnson, p. 255)

And while you're waiting for the decision to be made clear for you, keep walking. Keep filling out those applications. Keep going to those appointments. Keep showing up for work. All the while, seeking to know God more while continually committing to trust Him completely. Then, when it comes time to make the decision, make the choice that fits most with who you know God to be by what He says in His word and what He's revealed to you in your walk with Him.

And rest, knowing:

“Your walls are continually before me.” (Isaiah 49:16) He is constantly looking at the blueprint of the maze that is your life. He sees where you need to be and knows the path you need to take to get there. When you hit an obstacle, and choose the wrong path, He adjusts the blueprint to direct you back. 

Your job: seek Him and choose to trust.

His job: making the path straight, clearing the way for you, turning beauty to ashes, creating something new.

I can rest in that.

I can rest knowing He’s in control. He knows what’s best for me. Because I trust Him to direct my path, I know it will end in His loving arms.

Decisions just got a whole lot easier.  Two steps:

1) Acknowledge Him in all my ways.

2) And He will direct my path.

I give you control.

It is a leap of faith - giving control to someone else. Letting everything that matters to you rest in their hands. But when this someone else is the Creator of the Universe - the one who knows every intricate detail of my life from beginning to end - I’m comfortable leaving it in His hands.

With Love and Prayers from the Kitchen,

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