We all have plans that didn’t turn out the way we’d hoped, prayers that seem like they didn’t make it past the ceiling, dreams that break and are shattered as we wonder what went wrong. We keep going, but often these apparent failures remain etched in our mind along with a question mark.
Imagine there is a beautiful painting hanging on the wall of an apartment. It was beautifully painted by a great artist if you could see it in its entirety. But you’re not inside the apartment, and the only chance you have of seeing it at all is through the keyhole, where you can catch only a small glimpse of the darkest, most shadowed section.
This is so often our perspective of our own lives. We focus on the dark spots, the losses and perceived failures. But all the while, our life is a beautiful, colorful, joyful, and bright painting; the problem is that we are viewing it through a tiny keyhole. Maybe those dark spots represent a broken friendship, a painful breakup, a business opportunity falling through, or a feeling that our dreams are slowly being swept away by life just being the way it is - complicated, busy, and not always in our favor. At least, that's how we think.
Include God in your decision making. Perfect decision is a myth due to our own limitation but great decision is always possible and when we include God in our plans, He promises to set our path straight as we continue to walk in faith. Successful decision-makers don’t act on impulse, intuition, or even experience alone; they have a system that they work through step by step. Here is one employable system:
Proverbs 16: 3
Commit to the LORD whatever you do, and he will establish your plans.
- Anonymous
Imagine there is a beautiful painting hanging on the wall of an apartment. It was beautifully painted by a great artist if you could see it in its entirety. But you’re not inside the apartment, and the only chance you have of seeing it at all is through the keyhole, where you can catch only a small glimpse of the darkest, most shadowed section.
This is so often our perspective of our own lives. We focus on the dark spots, the losses and perceived failures. But all the while, our life is a beautiful, colorful, joyful, and bright painting; the problem is that we are viewing it through a tiny keyhole. Maybe those dark spots represent a broken friendship, a painful breakup, a business opportunity falling through, or a feeling that our dreams are slowly being swept away by life just being the way it is - complicated, busy, and not always in our favor. At least, that's how we think.
Include God in your decision making. Perfect decision is a myth due to our own limitation but great decision is always possible and when we include God in our plans, He promises to set our path straight as we continue to walk in faith. Successful decision-makers don’t act on impulse, intuition, or even experience alone; they have a system that they work through step by step. Here is one employable system:
- Define the issue. An identified issue is a half solved issue.
- Ask Jesus. Pray for guidance at each step of the decision-making process. We may not know all the answers, but we know the Man who does and He is for us.
- List and consider your options. Write down the pros and cons for each option and see how they stack up against each other.
- Gather information. You will not only make better decisions but a peace of mind as you carry out your decision.
- Be objective. Welcome alternatives and opposing views. Remember that the goal is not to prove yourself right, but to make the right decision.
- Be true to yourself. Leave out any alternatives that compromise your values.
- Make a decision. When you’re convinced that you’ve found the best course, commit to it.
- Be open to change if circumstances change. Once you make a decision and begin acting on it, a better option may open up. This is sometimes referred to as the “boat-and-rudder effect.” It’s not until a boat is in motion that the rudder can come into play.
Proverbs 16: 3
Commit to the LORD whatever you do, and he will establish your plans.
- Anonymous
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