Decision Making Tools & Skills
The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the Lord.
Proverbs 16:33
Everyday Decision Making
Every day we are faced with numerous decisions. We choose what to wear to work and what to eat for lunch. Bigger decisions include who to marry or which car to buy. Every choice we make begins with a thought process that helps us finalize a decision. Sometimes it’s as simple as the notion we are craving steak. Other times our decisions are a result of the influence of others. No matter how we come to the decision, there are some skills we can work with to help us make the best decision possible. But first, we must commit to making decisions that please the Lord!
USING REASON IN DECISION MAKING
…that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work.
2 Timothy 3:17
Using reason and intelligent judgment during decision making is a skill we can strengthen. With reason, we make a decision based on the facts. Improving our reasoning skills involves collecting all the facts relevant to a decision.
In the case of choosing what to eat for lunch, reason considers the facts. Those facts include calorie content, nutritional content, time to prepare and eat, our nutritional needs, our health needs, and so on.
USING INTUITION IN DECISION MAKING
Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.
In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.
Proverbs 3:5-6
Everyone experiences that “gut feeling”. It’s the sensation we get in our stomach or our gut that tells us to lean in one direction or another when faced with a choice to make. Lots of people talk about that “warning” gut feeling in circumstances which are dangerous. However, we fine-tune our gut feeling by listening to it.
As a Christian our gut feeling is often the Spirit of God inside of us, guiding us to the best choices. Trusting in the Lord to guide our steps is of primary importance. It takes practice and discipline to learn how to hear and obey God’s voice.
Using a combination of reason and intuition is one of the best ways to make well thought out decisions.
FILTERING INFORMATION IN DECISION MAKING
An intelligent heart acquires knowledge, and the ear of the wise seeks knowledge.
Proverbs 18:15
We live in the information age. It is so easy to access all kinds of reviews about any product we wish to buy. We find both good and bad information. Learning to filter the information is important.
Wisdom finds and processes information. Information is part of the facts we’ll use for reason in our decision making. However, too much information can be overwhelming and cloud our best choices. Research is helpful, but we have to know when to stop looking for more information and start making decisions.
On the other hand, too little information can be as detrimental as too much. We must look into big decisions and get some background for all possible choices.
HEEDING SIGNIFICANT VOICES IN DECISION MAKING
Where there is no guidance, a people falls, but in an abundance of counselors there is safety.
Proverbs 11:14
Too many cooks spoil the pot. It’s the same with the decision making – too many voices impact decision making to the point that we can’t tell our voice from another’s. So, how do we determine which counselors to listen to?
We must take caution with whom we let speak into our life, especially during times of tough decisions. The people who should give us counsel are the ones who are wise and active in our lives in good times and bad. The input should come from trusted advisors, not just anyone offering an opinion. While we appreciate the opinion of Great Aunt Matilda on our visits every two years, she’s likely not the counselor spoken of in this verse.
This “abundance of counselors” doesn’t mean asking for every one of our friends opinions on a pending decision. It is not about the number of yeses or no’s we get. It is the quality of the counsel that matters most.
It is important to pray about the counselors in our life. God will honor our request and put the right people in our path.
And of course,
GOD IS THE ULTIMATE COUNSELOR FOR DECISION MAKING
A CAUTION ABOUT EMOTIONAL INFLUENCE IN DECISION MAKING
The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but a wise man listens to advice.
Proverbs 12:15
We all know the truth of this verse when it comes to making a decision when emotional. Think about it for a second, how much is our choice in what we eat for lunch based on the stress of our morning? We all do it. We all make decisions when we are emotional.
The key is balance. Decisions can’t be strictly emotional nor are they strictly analytical. Recognizing our increased emotions about a particular decision will help put things in perspective. It may cause us to act faster or slower. It may keep us from saying something we shouldn’t or prompt us to say something we should.
Emotions are God-given. They are not bad. It is what we do with how we feel that makes them helpful or hurtful. Even an emotion like anger can be turned into positive action that leads to a good decision. When faced with a decision that evokes a lot of emotion it’s important to take care of ourselves.
SELF-CARE BEFORE DECISION MAKING
He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say to the Lord, “My refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.”
Psalm 91:1-2
When we dwell in a shelter that is a refuge and a fortress, we can rest. The soldier doesn’t enter a refuge and keep fighting. He rests. He renews his strength. He takes care of himself. He becomes refreshed so he can keep up the good fight.
Self-care isn’t selfish. It includes the time we need to hear what God is saying. It comprises time to rest. It incorporates time to pray and listen. It involves time for refreshing. Take time for a little retreat before making a big decision. Our retreat can be an afternoon off sitting in the sun, a getaway with our trusted counselor or friend or spouse. Sometimes we need to get away for an “official retreat”. I’m on one right now – praying and writing and creating in the Hill Country of Texas!
Taking a step back before a big choice helps us build our decision making skills. It helps us filter out unnecessary information, helps determine what encompasses wise counsel, and gives us time to settle our emotions. When all these things are in place it is easier to apply reasoning and intuition in effectively deciding what is best for us
God Bless Our Decision Making
May the Lord bless us and keep us and help us make wise decisions;
may the Lord make His face to shine upon us and be gracious to us;
may the Lord lift up His countenance upon us and give us peace!
(Adapted from Numbers 6:24-26)
Please share where you go in the Scriptures when needing to make wise decisions.
Blessings,
Karen Lindwall-Bourg
“Achieve Levels of Success Worth Celebrating”
*Founder, Karen Bourg Companies http://karenbourg.com
*Owner, President {Inter}National Association of Christian Women Entrepreneurs/International Christian Mompreneur Network http://nacwe.org
*Founder, RHEMA Publishing House http://rhemapublishinghouse.com
*Founder, RHEMA Lakeside Retreat Center https://www.facebook.com/rhemaretreat/
*Founder, RHEMA Counseling Associates http://rhemacounseling.com
About Karen Lindwall-Bourg
Karen Lindwall-Bourg is the President of the {Inter} National Association of Christian Women Entrepreneurs [est. May 2010] and the new President of the International Christian Mompreneur Network [est. July 2010], both at http://nacwe.org . She and the NACWE Operations and Leadership Teams work diligently to provide
· Community
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opportunities to Christian Women Entrepreneurs, Mompreneurs and Nanapreneurs alike all over the world!
Our Core Values are
· Community – we value Connection, Collaboration and Contribution
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Karen is wife to Fred, Mommy to 6 kids and 5 in-loves, Nana to “going-on” 12 grandchildren, and treat provider deluxe for a herd of Great Pyrenees who protect their north TX ranch! She is an entrepreneur coach, author, publisher, retreat hostess and more! Learn more about Mastermind groups and “Celebration” coaching with Karen at http://karenbourg.com .