If you are like that, unable to make up your mind and undecided in all you do, you must not think that you will receive anything from the Lord.
James 1:7-8 (GNT)
Biblical Plan for Making Wise Decisions
1. Pray for Guidance
If any of you lacks wisdom [to guide him through a decision or circumstance], he is to ask of [our benevolent] God, who gives to everyone generously and without rebuke or blame, and it will be given to him.
James 1:5 (AMP)
Let the peace of Christ [the inner calm of one who walks daily with Him] be the controlling factor in your hearts [deciding and settling questions that arise].
Colossians 3:15 (AMP)
• What does God have to say about this Decision?
2. Get the Facts
“All who are prudent act with knowledge, but fools expose their folly.”
Proverbs 13:16 (NIV)
What a shame—yes, how stupid!—to decide before knowing the facts!
Proverbs 18:13 (TLB)
• What do I need to know before I make the decision?
3. Ask for Advice
…the more good advice you get, the more likely you are to win.
Proverbs 24:6b (GNT)
For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide we might have hope.
Romans 15:4 (NIV)
Get good advice and you will succeed; don't go charging into battle without a plan.
Proverbs 20:18 (GNT)
• Who can I talk to and ask for advice?
4. Calculate the Cost
It is a trap to dedicate something rashly and only later to consider one’s vows.
Proverbs 20:25 (NIV)
Don’t begin until you count the cost. For who would begin construction of a building without first calculating the cost to see if there is enough money to finish it? Otherwise, you might complete only the foundation before running out of money, and then everyone would laugh at you. They would say, ‘There’s the person who started that building and couldn’t afford to finish it!’ “Or what king would go to war against another king without first sitting down with his counselors to discuss whether his army of 10,000 could defeat the 20,000 soldiers marching against him?
Luke 14:18-31 (NLT)
• Is it worth it?
5. Prepare for Problems
In this world you will have trouble.
John 16:33 (NIV)
A prudent man foresees the difficulties ahead and prepares for them.
Proverbs 22:3 (TLB)
If you wait for perfect conditions, you will never get anything done.
Proverbs 11:4 (TLB)
• What could go wrong, and will I be ready if it does?
6. Face your Fears
If God is for us, who can be [successful] against us?
Romans 8:31 (AMP)
• What am I afraid of?
A little Faith in a big God gets big results.
Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him and he will do this: He will make your righteous reward shine like the dawn, your vindication like the noonday sun.
Psalm 37:4-6 (NIV)
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