Struggling With Decisions

Who has not felt that gnawing pain in the pit of the stomach often associated with difficult decisions? Sometimes we make bad decisions. It is who we are as human beings. We fall short of that perfect standard which is God Himself (Rm. 3:23).

There are decisions we would change if we had the opportunity to go back in time while retaining the benefit of hindsight. But, this is not an option. There is no alternative reality such as might be scripted into a movie. Life is linear—always moving forward in the direction of death and accountability before our Creator (Hb. 9:27).

Indecisiveness can rob us of the joy we might have experienced had we not been so otherwise preoccupied. Once a decision is made, second-guessing can sabotage any good which might have come from making the decision—in effect, paralyzing us from fully-implementing the decision itself. Jesus says, “No one, after putting his hand to the plow and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God” (Lk. 9:62).

It’s hard to imagine life without regret—without second thoughts of what might have been if a different path had been chosen. Some seem to have things figured out and are quick to say that, if they had to do it all over again, they wouldn’t change a thing. As hard as it is for some of us to get our minds around that concept, it may be simply a way of saying that they are happy with their lives and that all their decisions, good and bad, have played a part in bringing them to where they are today. It is not as though bad decisions should be commended; but that God works through imperfect lives to bring about His ultimate purpose (Rm. 8:28). And, concerning bad decisions, God has promised that if we confess our sins, in Christ we have forgiveness and cleansing (1 Jn. 1:9).

The over-arching purpose of life is to “fear God and keep His commandments” (Eccl. 12:13). Or, to put it as did Jesus our Lord, to “love the Lord our God” with all our heart, soul, and mind (Mt. 22:37). These principles must guide us through the decision-making process. The rest is a matter of trusting Him to do as He has promised (Prov. 3:5-7).

~Glen Eliot