Verses: https://tamilmanna.com/collections/how-to-make-decisions/
Life is a series of decisions. From career paths and relationships to our daily choices, we often find ourselves at a crossroads, wondering which way to go. How can we be sure we are on the right path? How do we make choices that align with a greater purpose?. The Bible offers timeless wisdom that can guide us through these moments, providing a clear and peaceful framework for decision-making.
Here are three foundational principles from the scriptures to help you navigate life’s choices with confidence and peace.
1. The Power of Stillness: Don’t Rush
We often face pressure to make decisions quickly. Think of a high-pressure sales pitch: “This offer is only good for the next 24 hours!”. This sense of urgency can push us into making hasty choices we later regret, often leading us to buy things we don’t need with money we don’t have, just to impress people.
This pressure isn’t limited to shopping; it appears in major life decisions about jobs, relationships, and more. The Bible’s first piece of advice in these moments is counter-cultural: be still.
- Psalm 46:10 says, “Be still, and know that I am God”. Being still doesn’t mean doing nothing. It means calming your heart and refusing to let stress and external pressure dictate your actions. It’s about creating space to let God work instead of trying to force a solution yourself.
The prophet Elijah’s experience in 1 Kings shows that God’s guidance often comes not in noise and chaos, but in quietness.
- 1 Kings 19:11-12: God was not in the great wind, the earthquake, or the fire. After the fire, there was “a gentle whisper”. God’s voice is often a calm whisper, not a demanding shout. If a situation feels forceful and rushed, it’s likely not from God.
Trusting in God means we don’t have to act in panic.
- Isaiah 28:16: “he that believes shall not make haste”. A decision made in haste often stems from a lack of faith.
- Proverbs 21:5: “The thoughts of the diligent tend only to plenteousness; but of every one that is hasty only to want”. Rushed decisions often lead to lack, while patient diligence leads to abundance.
- Psalm 23:2: “He leads me beside the still waters”. God’s guidance leads to a place of peace and stillness, not turmoil.
The Takeaway: Before making a big decision, resist the urge to rush. Step back, quiet your spirit, and create stillness. A peaceful heart is the best place to hear God’s guidance.
2. The Guidance of God’s Word: Learn from Scripture & Counsel
Why learn lessons the hard way? A wise person learns from the mistakes of others, while a foolish person learns only from their own. The Bible is a book filled with stories of both success and failure, providing a wealth of experience we can learn from.
- Psalm 119:105: “Your word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path”. Scripture illuminates the path ahead, helping us see clearly where to step next. When you don’t know which way to go, the Word of God can provide direction and clarity.
When reading the Bible, it’s important to seek the “ministry of life,” not the “ministry of condemnation”. The ministry of condemnation focuses on judgment and punishment, like the people who wanted to stone the woman caught in adultery. The ministry of life, which Jesus demonstrated, uplifts, restores, and encourages growth. Let your decision-making be guided by principles that bring life, not death.
In addition to scripture, God guides us through the counsel of wise people.
- Proverbs 15:22: “Without counsel purposes are disappointed: but in the multitude of counselors they are established”. (Also stated as: “Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed”).
- Proverbs 11:14: “Where no counsel is, the people fall: but in the multitude of counselors there is safety”.
The Takeaway: Immerse yourself in the Word of God and seek advice from trusted, wise individuals. Don’t make decisions in isolation. There is safety and success in seeking counsel.
3. The Peace That Surpasses Understanding: Pray for Peace
What if you’re in a situation that feels anything but peaceful? The Bible’s answer is to actively pray for peace.
- Philippians 4:6-7: “Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passes all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus”.
This verse gives us a formula:
- Prayer and Supplication: Bring your specific requests to God.
- With Thanksgiving: This is the key. Thank God for what you already have. On the first day of creation, God didn’t complain that there were no animals or plants; He celebrated the light He had made and called it “good”. When we focus on gratitude, our perspective shifts.
- The Result: The peace of God, a peace that doesn’t even make sense logically, will guard your heart and mind.
Imagine a glass of water filled with dirt. When it’s shaken up, you can’t tell the water from the dirt. It’s chaotic and unclear. But if you let it sit still, the dirt settles to the bottom, and the water becomes clear. Prayer and thanksgiving allow the “dirt” of anxiety and confusion in your life to settle. Once that divine peace comes, you’ll be in a much better position to see the situation clearly and make the right decision.
The Takeaway: You can’t make a clear decision from a place of turmoil. Turn your anxieties into prayers, mix them with genuine thanksgiving, and wait for the peace of God to settle your heart. That clarity is where wise decisions are born.
A Promise for Your Path
As you apply these principles, hold on to the incredible promise found in the Bible. Our hope is not a “maybe,” but what the Greek calls Elpis—a 100% expectation of good. This hope is rooted in the character of God and the work of Jesus.
- Psalm 23:6: “Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life”. The speaker in the audio noted that this goodness and mercy will “hunt you down”. Even when you take a wrong turn, God’s goodness actively pursues you. This amazing promise is possible because of what happened on the cross. Psalm 23 is preceded by Psalm 22, which contains the words Jesus spoke: “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”. Jesus was forsaken so that we could be blessed with goodness and mercy all the days of our lives.
Making decisions can be daunting, but you don’t have to do it alone. By practicing stillness, learning from God’s Word, and praying for peace, you can navigate life’s challenges with a steady heart and the confident expectation of God’s goodness guiding your every step.