We’re used to making decisions out of fear.
Rarely do we take the time to think critically about our options when it comes to decision-making.
Critical thinking is the ability to think clearly and rationally about what to do or believe. It includes the ability to engage in reflective and independent thinking.
Critical thinking also involves wisdom. The Bible declares that wisdom is the principal thing (Proverbs 4:7). Wisdom helps us apply the knowledge we’ve obtained because it opens the door to understanding. In other words, wisdom teaches how and when to use what we learn.
Wisdom and critical thinking are crucial components of decision-making. When we ground our choices in fear, haste, or poor information, it can sometimes lead us and those in our care into unfavorable outcomes.
As believers, we trust in the guidance of God’s voice, the Holy Spirit, and wise counsel.
Our reliance on El-Shaddai causes many of us to ask ourselves questions like:
• What’s driving the pressure I feel to make this decision?
•Have I searched the Word of God for my answer?
•Have I spoken to wise counsel?
•Do I already know this is the wrong choice but still hoping for the proper outcomes?
It’s also worth mentioning that many of us already know what choice we will make when faced with a decision (Proverbs 23:7). We’ve meditated on it, visualized it, and made up 75% or more of our mind before seeking counsel (if we seek counsel).
However, if you’ve made it to this point in the post, I’m assuming you want more insight into decision-making.
Start with this: If I do, If I don’t, If I wait.
- What happens if I do?
- What happens if I don’t?
- What happens if I wait?
If you want to map this out in more detail, take a sheet of paper and draw three columns with what happens if I do, what happens if I don’t, and what happens if I wait at the top of each column, listing all the pros and cons you can think of. In the end, you’ll have a clearer picture of your next move.
Your decisions are yours and yours alone. Regardless of when others want you to respond, how and when you do is up to you.
Remember
- Think with your heart first, then allow your mind to process details (understand and ask questions about your options)
- Never rush (if someone wants you to make a hasty decision, encouraging you to just ‘trust’ them with the outcome, as my mom used to say, “something in the milk ain’t clean” anyway.
- Give a timeline when you will respond ( respect the deadline given and have the other person respect yours by letting them know when you’ll respond to their inquiry)
- Never allow your need to override the right decision (this is where wisdom comes into play. You may need something someone else has, but that doesn’t mean the option in front of you is the only or best choice to make)
- Time is the release of all decisions (every decision, wrong or right, has a consequence. If you made a wrong decision, correct it if you still have time).
Don’t make decisions out of fear, and don’t fall into the excuse that I didn’t have a choice. You always have a choice—critical thinking and wisdom help to identify the best options for the decisions we face.
I’ll leave you with a few of my favorite wisdom principles to live by:
- Get to know others for yourself
- Respect other people’s time
- Work on yourself before your mouth talks about others
- Keep your word
- Build others with kind words
- Know who you’re talking to and consider what and how much that individual can hold
Dr. CoPastor Teresa Goggins
Dr. Goggins is an intercessor, spiritual mother, mentor, coach, and international preacher. She’s the Co-Pastor of Thy Kingdom Has Come International Ministries, alongside her husband, Pastor Thomas Goggins, and has over 20 years of ministry training and preaching experience.