Faith Filled Decision Making: Trust God With Your Choices
Life is full of choices. Each day breaks down into a series of choices, from tiny everyday decisions to major life changes. Questions and doubts about our choices can feel heavy before, during, and especially after making decisions. It is really good news that, as believers, we need not bear the weight alone. Choices centered in Christian faith allow us to seek God’s direction for each step, and they teach us that we can trust God in the process. This is a win-win!
Start with Prayer
How would our lives be different if we covered our choices (great and small) in prayer first? Prayer opens a door to reveal God’s will and aligns our desires with God’s plan for our lives. Philippians 4:6 says, “Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done.” When we practice living out scriptures like this one, we take our decision-making processes to God, who is faithful in replacing worry with peace.
Look to Scripture
“God’s word is a lamp to guide our feet and a light for our path.” - Psalm 119:105. I know of no compass as powerful as scripture when facing hard choices. Scripture contains real-life examples, principles, and practices that reveal God’s nature to us. Reading scripture consistently will fast-track our process of making God-honoring choices.
Pay Attention to the Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit guides us in truth. John 16:13 says, “When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own but will tell you what he has heard. He will tell you about the future.” To hear the Spirit, we need quiet time and a humble heart. Once we arrive in that place, God’s direction begins to come to us through peace and conviction.
Seek Wise Advice
Proverbs 11:14 teaches, “Without wise leadership, a nation falls; there is safety in having many advisers.” Good mentors (older and wiser) and faithful friends (also pursuing Jesus) combine to offer fresh views and plenty of support. If you do not have them, widen your circle/grow your tribe. Doing so will help you see God’s plan.
Aim for Peace Over Perfection
Faith-based choices do not guarantee we will always get things right. But it is the motive of honoring God that matters most. Remember, God is not a God of production. God is a God of motives. Honor God first, then move forward in peace. The peace from Christ empowers us to keep pressing on and allows us to move ahead confidently when we need it most.
Think Back and Thank God
After settling on a decision, take time to reflect on how God led you in the process. Then, be sure to return and give God thanks. Gratitude absolutely crushes anxiety and the second-guessing mind games that often pop up after making choices. Thinking back and thanking also helps us rest in the fact that God will never leave us or turn his back on us.
A Simple Prayer for Choices
Father, I praise you for your sovereignty, a large part of which is your all-knowing. Please continue to stretch and grow me to trust you with every choice. I pray you will align my heart with your will for my life. I willfully submit to the leading and guiding of your Holy Spirit. Please lead me in ways that I cannot miss. Lord, I pray that the peace of Christ, which passes all understanding, will pervade my heart, soul, and mind. As I seek your will, help me honor you everywhere always. I humbly ask this in the name of Jesus. Amen.
Final Thoughts
Faith-based choices focus on trusting God’s perfection instead of trying to be perfect ourselves. As we lean on God, as opposed to our own understanding, we’ll find peace through wisdom, and his plans will serve us (and our family and friends) well.