We make hundreds-probably thousands of decisions daily. Making the right decision is easier when we know a few things to help us.

Every day, we make hundreds—probably thousands—of decisions. Many of these decisions we are not particularly aware of! But some decisions are weighty. They are the decisions that keep us up at night. Some are life-changing, scary, and hard! Today, let’s discuss how to make those hard decisions.

First, let me say that all decisions should be made in light of God’s word. The Bible should be the plumb line by which our lives are measured. But some decisions get muddled up with emotions, options, and plain indecisiveness! Here are five steps to take when making those tough decisions.

Pray

Have a conversation with God. He already knows what you want and what the outcome will be. God knows what is best for your life. He is Omniscient. He is ALL KNOWING.

Then why does God want us to pray if he already knows? Because God wants to have a close and meaningful relationship with you.

He wants us to learn and grow in Him, and that means making decisions according to His word and will. In doing so, we glorify God and magnify (make big) God in our lives.

Do not be anxious about anything, but by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, make your requests known to God. And the peace which surpasses all understanding will guard your heart and mind in Christ Jesus. Phil 4:6-7

Line Your Heart Up With God

Get your heart (mind, will, emotion, and intellect) in such a state that it has no will of its own. It’s not easy, but 9/10 of the difficulty in making a tough decision is overcoming our own strong wills! We need to make God’s will for our lives our will!

This is a big battle. If most of us were truly honest, we would admit that we want our own way.

The heart is deceitful above all things and desperately wicked. Who can know it? Jere 17:9

Spend time in God’s Word in prayer, asking God to make His will YOURS. So often, we try to see “signs” and have “feelings” that bend towards our own preferences. But really, the best thing for us is always God’s will!

Feelings Can Be Deceiving

And speaking of feelings, they can be so deceiving!

Do not make a decision based on feelings or impressions. The longer we walk with God, the better we are at discerning God’s will for our lives. Make decisions based on God’s word.

A sure way to know something is not God’s will is if it does not align with His word! If what we feel or think God is telling us goes against God’s Word, then we can be sure that it is not God’s will and not from God.

Read The Bible

Seek the Spirit of God by connecting with the Word of God! Simply talk to God, ask Him to show you His will, and read your Bible. These things must be connected when making wise and godly decisions.

God will NEVER, NEVER, NEVER ask you to make a decision that goes against His word.

And do not be conformed to this world, but transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect. Rom 12:1

In other words, God says not to identify with the ungodliness and desires of what we see around us. Doing so is a sure way to make wrong decisions! But transform (a process of renewing that happens by the power of God… a change of heart) your thoughts, will, and intellect. So that you will know what the word of God is by putting it to the test.

Comparing your thoughts to the Word of God will help you determine whether your thoughts align with God’s word.

It is so important to do this because you want to know God’s will for yourself and make good decisions that are acceptable and pleasing to God. It will help you grow spiritually and intellectually mature.

We want our thoughts, will, and intellect to be exactly like our Father’s!

Look For God’s Leading In Your Circumstances

Lastly, after we have done all the above, consider Providential circumstances.

I say this with a warning!

Make sure you have earnestly prayed and that your heart has no will of its own. Make sure you have discounted feelings and impressions, sought the Spirit of God, and connected with the Word of God. Once we have totally given our hearts over to God’s will, we can then look for God’s work in our lives.

I call this an open door. These open doors are Providential circumstances that align with God’s word and His way of guiding us in His will. Remember, God’s will will never contradict His word.

It is not an easy way to make a tough decision, is it? But it is the GODLY way!

God does not guarantee that our answer will be swift, either. But God is faithful, so we need to be faithful. Keep on praying, seeking, reading the Bible, and looking for God’s answer without letting your will muck up the whole thing!

Remember to praise and thank God when you finally make a godly decision. Don’t fall into the pit of doubt. Believe God and nothing else!

I hope this will help you make those tough decisions we all face in life, confident that God will show you the right path!

May we be blessed and mature and give God glory through all our tough decisions!

A verse to tuck in your heart this week…

And do not be conformed to this world, but transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect. Rom 12:1

Have a blessed Sunday, friend!