How good are you at making decisions? We all make them every day. Sometimes it can be something as small as deciding what you’re going to have for breakfast. Sometimes it’s that big, it will be a decision that will shape the rest of your life. We can give a lot of thought to and stick to a decision once it’s made. Or we can waiver about commitment even to the simplest decision. We can make a decision, then change our mind – or have it changed for us!
My son, having made one of those big decisions, is getting married this month. It’s a decision that fills me with joy because his wonderful partner is just that, wonderful. However, it has left me with my own personal decisions to make. On the face of it, it’s a small thing but for someone who is always dressed in walking trousers, fleece tops and trainers, the decision as what to wear is a biggie! Me in a dress. I don’t think anyone here has ever seen my legs!!! And wearing shoes with heels? Ouch!
A bit of light-heartedness I know, but you see making some decisions are stressful and worrying. What do we do about countering this stress and worry? Well, there are some principles to good decision making. A couple of suggestions are:
- Make sure you have all the facts: I expect many of us can recount a time in our lives when our decision has been based on half a story or even a false story, and we’ve ended up having to repair, restore or even rescue a situation. - Be open to ideas: I’ve often been surprised by a different idea to my own and me thinking “why didn’t I think of that?!” - Seek the advice of trusted friends: When making a big decision especially, a wise course of action is to seek -confirmation as to whether we are on the right track. - Make sure that your decision is based on the value that will build up and enhance, not belittle or destroy: I often find myself having to take deep breaths and step back before I make one of those decisions made in the heat of the moment rather than on this core value.
All these principles, you can find in the Bible (Proverbs 18:13, 18:15, 12:15, Psalm 119:98). A final one is 1 John 5:14 – seek God’s guidance. I’m not sure if God had anything to do with it, but just to let you know that in seeking the advice of a trusted friend, I did find a dress. I have shoes too, but the jury is out as to whether they will cripple me or not! I might send in photos after the wedding! Why am I sharing this with you? Well, maybe it’s to do with the stress of showing my legs and crippling my feet with heeled shoes. Or maybe it’s something that some of us do need to be reminded of. If that is you, then God bless you in all your decision making. Rev Julie Letts