Four questions to ask when you want to make the right decision
We’ve all heard of buyer’s remorse — that feeling you get when you purchase something and later regret it. Most of us have experienced it at some point, perhaps after the purchase of a new shirt, a TV, or even a car.
As Christians, we can also experience a wave of doubt when facing a decision where there’s no clear answer. It can appear as: "Should I buy house A or house B?" "Should I spend the money and take my family on a vacation or save it for a rainy day?" Some decisions we make instantly without much thought, but others can weigh us down for weeks while we search for the right answer.
James 1:5 says, “If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.” If you are like me, you want the answer to jump off the page of your Bible or the Holy Spirit to audibly tell you what to do. But more often than not, decisions don’t happen like that. I am left to decide between two good things.
if you have taken your options to the Lord in prayer and still don’t know which way to turn, use these questions to guide your decision.
Four Questions to Ask if There’s More Than One Good Choice
1. What does the Bible say?
The Bible is God’s words put on paper to help us know Him and His plan for the world (2 Timothy 3:16-17). The Bible also helps us check our motives so we know we're making a decision for the appropriate reason with a pure heart. Hebrews 4:12 says, “For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.”
2. Does this confirm what God already told me to do?
In Luke 11:28, Jesus says, “Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it.” We can always be obedient to whatever God has called us to do, no matter how easy or difficult it is.
Each decision we make should be a step further along the journey God has laid out for us.
We never want to make a choice that hinders us from what God has already called us to do. Each decision we make should be a step further along the journey God has laid out for us.
3. Would someone wiser agree with my decision?
We all need someone in our lives to look up to who can offer us wise, biblical advice. Proverbs 1:5 says, “Let the wise listen and add to their learning, and let the discerning get guidance.”
While many times my mentor may not have experienced the exact circumstance, she may know someone who has and can speak to the positives and negatives of each option. Having someone to talk through decisions with helps me make wiser decisions.
4. Does it glorify God?
1 Corinthians 10:31 says, “So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.” We were made to bring God glory, so if we want to live our best lives a good question to ask is: Does this glorify God?
As Christians, we are Jesus' ambassadors on earth (2 Corinthians 5:20). Every action and decision we make can either have a positive or negative effect on how people see Him. In the midst of tough choices, we have two options: we can focus on our circumstances or on our heavenly Father. When we keep moving forward in our relationship with Him, He helps us make the best decisions in every part of our lives.