After coming out of anesthesia, doctors always warn against making any important legal or life-changing decisions due to factors related to the effects of anesthetic drugs on the mind and body. Sometimes, it feels like we are in that same kind of brain fog even without anesthesia, which makes it hard to make decisions. When this happens, we need to turn to the Bible before making life-changing decisions.
Psalm 37, is a wisdom psalm that advises trust in God and righteous living. It encourages believers to not fret over the prosperity of the wicked but to delight in the Lord, who will fulfill the desires of the heart. The Psalm emphasizes the importance of committing one’s way to God, being patient, and refraining from anger. It contrasts the eventual downfall of the wicked with the secure future of the righteous, affirming God’s justice. The psalm assures that those who are faithful will inherit the land and enjoy peace.
My child, listen to what I say, and treasure my commands. Tune your ears to wisdom, and concentrate on understanding. Cry out for insight, and ask for understanding. Search for them as you would for silver; seek them like hidden treasures. Then you will understand what it means to fear the LORD, and you will gain knowledge of God. For the LORD grants wisdom! From his mouth come knowledge and understanding. He grants a treasure of common sense to the honest. He is a shield to those who walk with integrity. He guards the paths of the just and protects those who are faithful to him. (Proverbs 2:1-8 NLT)
Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. (Proverbs 3:5-6 KJV)
A simple man believes everything, But the prudent man carefully considers his ways. (Proverbs 14:15 WEB) – This contrasts naivety with prudence. It suggests that a wise person does not accept things at face value but thinks critically and evaluates situations carefully before acting, reflecting wisdom and discernment.
Where there is no counsel, plans fail; But in a multitude of counselors they are established. (Proverbs 15:22 WEB) – This emphasizes the value of seeking diverse perspectives and wise counsel. It suggests that decisions made with the advice and input from others are more likely to succeed, highlighting the importance of community and collective wisdom in decision-making.
It isn’t good to have zeal without knowledge; Nor being hasty with one’s feet and missing the way. (Proverbs 19:2 WEB) – This teaches that enthusiasm or passion, without understanding or knowledge, can lead to misguided actions. It underscores the need for informed zeal and cautions against acting hastily, which can lead to errors or failure.
The plans of the diligent surely lead to profit; And everyone who is hasty surely rushes to poverty. (Proverbs 21:5 WEB) – This contrasts the outcomes of diligence versus haste. It suggests that careful planning and hard work lead to success, while rushing into actions without proper planning can lead to adverse outcomes, such as poverty. This reflects the biblical principle of responsible stewardship and the value of thoughtful, diligent work.
For which of you, desiring to build a tower, doesn’t first sit down and count the cost, to see if he has enough to complete it? Or perhaps, when he has laid a foundation, and is not able to finish, everyone who sees begins to mock him, saying, ‘This man began to build, and wasn’t able to finish.’ (Luke 14:28-30 WEB)
Therefore I tell you, don’t be anxious for your life: what you will eat, or what you will drink; nor yet for your body, what you will wear. Isn’t life more than food, and the body more than clothing? … For the Gentiles seek after all these things; for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first God’s Kingdom and his righteousness; and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore, don’t be anxious for tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Each day’s own evil is sufficient. (Matthew 6:25-34 WEB)
But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach; and it will be given to him. (James 1:5 WEB)
These verses collectively emphasize the importance of careful consideration, seeking wisdom, and prudent planning in decision-making, when evaluating situations before making commitments.
Digging Deeper:
- This 1 question will make every decision in your life easier – If you ask yourself “Will it glorify God,” your conscience will supply the answer from God through the working of the Holy Spirit in your heart.
- Moving from confusion to peace, clarity, and wisdom through faith – Frustration is confusion leaving the mind just as pain is weakness leaving the body.
- The Christian work ethic – Christians are commanded to have godly work ethic with fairness, honesty, and diligence as if they are working directly for Jesus Christ.
- Ten considerations before appointing church leaders – The importance of taking time to approve church leaders, which ensures godly, faithful, experienced, proven leadership.
- Traveling Light: Releasing the Burdens You Were Never Intended to Bear by Max Lucado – Centered around the comforting, uplifting words of Psalm 23, Traveling Light will give you the encouragement and the tools you need to release the burdens of: Self-reliance, Arrogance, Hopelessness, Disappointment, and Shame. There are certain weights in life that we simply aren’t designed to carry, and Max reminds us that the Lord is asking you to set them down and trust him. He is the father at the baggage claim. When a dad sees his five-year-old son trying to drag the family trunk off the carousel, what does he say? The father will say to his son what God is saying to you.
- Don’t Give the Enemy a Seat at Your Table: It’s Time to Win the Battle of Your Mind by Louie Giglio – The Enemy is constantly seeking to fill your mind with destructive and harmful thoughts—whether of fear, worry, insecurity, anxiety, temptation, envy… It’s all too easy for Satan to manipulate his way into a seat at the table intended for only you and Jesus, and to try making himself at home in your mind. It’s an ongoing battle, but one you can win.