DECISIONS

The high school girl’s Bible study is studying the word joy.  We have dissected the word and its origin now we are looking at the letter J.  J represents Jesus and everything about Him.  This week we discussed how we should be like Jesus in every decision we make. 

As I read the First5 app today this was the challenge question: Do I want to gather blessings today or sprout unfortunate circumstances tomorrow?

After I read the First5 app I moved to my Bible study lesson.   Lori Merrill said before every decision we should pause, ponder, and pray.

Do you think something is leading me towards decision-making?  Have you ever had to make a decision?

These three lessons all lead us back to being like Jesus when we have to make decisions.  We should ask ourselves before we react if we are reacting like Jesus would?  Are we bringing blessings to others with our action or are we bringing difficulties? 

How do we do this?  It takes time and practice to go to God during our decision making process. Lets go through some steps. 

First we should stop and pause before reacting (so difficult to do).  Go to our quiet place and pray about the situation.  You may be saying, “I don’t have time for that.”  Remember you have nothing but time and the Lord is waiting on you to ask for His advice and wisdom. 

Jesus always removed himself from the distractions when He needed to make a decision.  When He removed himself what was He going to do?  He was going to spend time with His father.  You will find through visiting with God that you will be restful and relaxed. You will make this time with the Lord a priority because Joy will be evident.

After you have spent time with the Lord and He has helped you make the decision it is time to follow through.  Did you know it is a sin not to do what the Lord tells you to do? If He tells you no He means no.  If He tells you to go ahead He means it.  So when He tells you to do it, get to it! 

These two things are very easy to write down on paper, but will you do what the Lord wants you to do? 

I was drawn to the scripture in Jude.  Jude 1:2 “Relax, everything’s going to be all right; rest, everything’s coming together; open your hearts, love is on the way! The book of Jude, in a nutshell, is saying that Gods word is the truth.  Those that abide in it will have rest and eternal life.  We must build up our faith through prayer, helping others and hating sin. 

Isn’t this what decision-making is about?  Go to Him through prayer in your quiet place so that your decision will remove all sin from the situation allowing you to only bring joy and peace. 

SOME OF MY DECISION MAKING QUOTES I LOVE:

When in doubt do nothing….what is easiest isn’t always best…. Sometimes the answer is no……take your time, time is never wasted…..it can always wait…..patience is a virtue….