Decision-making in a Chaotic World
We are in a series called Word to the Wise and we are working through the book of Proverbs and allowing the Word of God to speak into our lives.
But one theme which is prevalent throughout this book is the theme of decision-making, and especially about how to make decisions in a chaotic world.
Life is a journey of never-ending decisions, and right now in this chaotic world, we find ourselves facing the massive issue of decision fatigue. This is a psychological phenomenon surrounding a person’s ability or capacity to make decisions. The theory surrounding decision fatigue is that a human’s ability to make decisions can get worse after making many decisions, as their brain will be more fatigued.
The decisions we make have implications and we need to know how to navigate decisions in our lives.
PROVERBS 16
1 To humans belong the plans of the heart,
but from the Lord comes the proper answer of the tongue.
2 All a person’s ways seem pure to them,
but motives are weighed by the Lord.
3 Commit to the Lord whatever you do,
and he will establish your plans.
4 The Lord works out everything to its proper end—
even the wicked for a day of disaster.
5 The Lord detests all the proud of heart.
Be sure of this: They will not go unpunished.
6 Through love and faithfulness sin is atoned for;
through the fear of the Lord evil is avoided.
7 When the Lord takes pleasure in anyone’s way,
he causes their enemies to make peace with them.
8 Better a little with righteousness
than much gain with injustice.
9 In their hearts humans plan their course,
but the Lord establishes their steps.
Here are 9 ways to navigate making decisions in a chaotic world:
1. BIBLE FIRST
For most, the Bible and the Gospel are the last bases people, but we should be running these bases first every time!
Proverbs 2:6
For the Lord gives wisdom; from His mouth comes knowledge and understanding.
God gives wisdom to us. He is not selling it, He gives it freely and it is cheaper than a life coach!
Proverbs 3:5-6
Trust in the Lord with all of your heart and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.
“MAKE A GOOD DECISION WITHIN THE BOUNDARIES OF SCRIPTURE.”
The Bible often doesn’t tell us what exactly to do. Instead, the Bible gives us boundaries of what not to do and what types of good things to do.
BIBLE BOUNDARIES ARE BLESSINGS
Let’s take an example that most of us are bound to ask at some point:
Q: Should I marry this person?
A: Not if they don’t know or love the Lord
How do we know this?
2 Corinthians 6:14
Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? Or what fellowship has light with darkness?
2. ARE YOU FOLLOWING FAKE NEWS?
Proverbs 18:13
He who gives an answer before he hears, it is folly and shame to him.
Proverbs 18:17
The first to plead his case seems right, until another comes and examines him.
Fake news is everywhere! Our world is filled with it and it spreads like wildfire, faster than regular news and faster than the truth.
Why? Because people love it. The challenge is that people are making big decisions in their life based on anecdotal stories, and emotive posturing and positioning.
Get the facts and do the work before you jump in. Check the facts, run scenarios and do the hard work before committing to a position.
Why do we not do this?
- Fear of man!
- Fear of losing and opportunity!
- Fear of finding something we don’t want to see!!
- Fear of doing the necessary work!
3. SLOW DOWN!
Proverbs 19:2
Also, it is not good for a person to be without knowledge, and he who makes haste with his feet errs.
Proverbs 21:5
The plans of the diligent lead to profit as surely as haste leads to poverty.
“DON’T RUSH IT. TAKE YOUR TIME TO MAKE THE WISE CHOICE.”
Why do we rush in and make foolish decisions?
- Fear of man
- Not trusting God and his ability to be God
- Because we don’t learn from the past!
Here is a word to the wise “slow down!”
4. THE BIG HONEST WHY?
We need to know the “why” and the motives of our hearts. Do you know what is driving the decision you are about to make? Sometimes God is less worried about the outcome, and more worried about how we get to that decision.
Proverbs 20:9
Who can say, ”I have cleansed my heart, I am pure from my sin?”
The honest answer is that there is no man whose heart is cleansed and is pure of sin. We need to examine our hearts.
Proverbs 16:1-2
1 To humans belong the plans of the heart,
but from the Lord comes the proper answer of the tongue.
2 All a person’s ways seem pure to them,
but motives are weighed by the Lord.
We need to examine and evaluate our motives because one of our greatest skills as human beings is self-justification.
5. LEARN FROM YOUR PAST, DON’T LIVE IN IT!
Proverbs 26:11
Like a dog that returns to its vomit is a fool who repeats his folly.
Proverbs 17:10
A rebuke goes deeper into one who has understanding than a hundred blows into a fool.
We are not as good at learning as we think. We have to be learning otherwise we remain foolish. Let’s learn and move forward and not derail God’s plan for our lives by impulses we can’t control.
6. WHO IS THE VOICE IN MY HEAD?
“TALK TO TRUSTED MENTORS AND FRIENDS.”
Proverbs 11:14
Where there is no guidance the people fall, but in an abundance of counselors there is victory.
Proverbs 24:6
Surely you need guidance to wage war, and victory is won through many advisors.
Kings always had trusted advisors and oftentimes it was surprising who they were.
Social media or Google is not a source of good advice unless you are looking for a secondhand deal or the nearest corner café!
What should we look for in advisors?
- Knowledge of the Word
- Courageous life
- Faith
- Willingness to be unpopular
- Consistency
- Love for others
Proverbs 15:22
Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers, they succeed.
Challenging examples:
- I was going to ask, but no one called me before I agreed to buy that investment.
- I came to church and asked God to send someone to talk to me. He didn’t!
“AVOID GETTING ADVICE FROM FOOLISH PEOPLE.”
Proverbs 12:5
The plans of the righteous are just, but the advice of the wicked is deceitful.
You’ll get what you are looking for if you go and look for it.
7. DID YOU SEE THE SIGN?
Proverbs 10:17
He is on the path of life who heeds instruction, but he who forsakes reproof goes astray.
Proverbs 16:25
There is a way which seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death.
Proverbs 27:6
Faithful are the wounds of a friend, but deceitful are the kisses of an enemy.
Romans 13:1
Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God.
When we submit there is a power that breaks into our story when we choose God’s ways during this time.
8. WHAT IS THE REAL COST?
Do you consider whether the decisions you make jeopardize your integrity or hinder your witness for the Lord?
Proverbs 20:7
A righteous man who walks in his integrity—how blessed are his sons after him.
Proverbs 22:1
A good name is to be more desired than great riches, favor is better than silver and gold.
If we want to have influence for the Gospel we have to make righteous decisions that lead to life. We need to ALWAYS remember the gospel in our decision making.
9. TRUST IN THE LORD AND HIS PLANS
Proverbs 16:3
Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and he will establish y0our plans.
The word “commit” means to “trust”. Proverbs are not promises but principles.
The Lord is more interested in “how” we make the decision than in making the “right” decision. The “how” starts with, ‘God I trust you.’
Proverbs 16:9
In their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps.
On the other side of our decisions, there is a gospel implication and an eternal reality. God speaks to us through the book of Proverbs and says forget the chaotic world and fix your eyes on the order and perfection of Heaven and your God who is seated on His throne.
Our prayer for you is to Trust Him. Trust His Word, trust His ways, trust Him in the timing, and opinions of man, trust Him. Take a step of faith and pray, “God I trust you. I trust your ways; have all of me.”