Making Big Decisions

[InChristsLight]

I'm curious what other Christians methods are for making really big important decisions. I have been struggling with deciding on a new place to live for 5 years. It's a complicated situation for all my family members. 

One sermon I heard mentioned using these steps.

1. Pray and seek God's will

2. Seek Christian council.

3. Compare wants and needs to Scripture.

3. Make the decision.

Any guidance is greatly appreciated! Thanks

[Michael37]

24 minutes ago, InChristsLight said:

I'm curious what other Christians methods are for making really big important decisions. I have been struggling with deciding on a new place to live for 5 years. It's a complicated situation for all my family members. 

One sermon I heard mentioned using these steps.

1. Pray and seek God's will

2. Seek Christian council.

3. Compare wants and needs to Scripture.

3. Make the decision.

Any guidance is greatly appreciated! Thanks

I have bulk sheets of paper on hand, some coloured, and little pocket-size note pads to capture thoughts and impressions in various ways, whether lists or diagrams, scribbles, and sequences to be followed in order to achieve desired outcomes, or workings to establish any priorities that might overrule plans before they get the green light from God.

I'm suspicious of very strong impulses and heightened sensations of extremely sharp clarity as they have proved to be more of my own fabrication and emotions than of the Holy Spirit's wisdom and ministry.

[Deborah_]

I would say, first of all check with Scripture. If any of the options go against God's will as revealed there, then they're off limits.

It can be harder when all your choices are equally "Christian" - like where to live. Prayer is vital. Sometimes God has a clear plan for you to follow, in which case He will make to known to you. But sometimes He seems not to mind. The counsel of other Christians can be helpful - but they may have their own agenda.

7 years ago, after I retired, we decided to move from England to Wales, but had no particular place in mind. We sold our house in just 2 days, which was encouraging, but finding a house in Wales turned out to be much harder. God gave us no direction. So we just put in an offer for a house we liked, and if we didn't get it we kept on looking. On the third attempt we succeeded. So I assume that this is where God wants us to be - and certainly a lot of things have "worked out" neatly since we moved here.

[NConly]

ISA 5: 8 gives a hint

8 Woe unto them that join house to house, that lay field to field, till there be no place, that they may be placed alone in the midst of the earth!

[lrs68]

Many of the decisions I end up making are based upon what doors suddenly open up.   A true Follower of Christ should know if the doors open are from God or not.  You will sense it.  From purchasing vehicles, other items, to moving from town to town or out of state to just down the block from where you already live.   You will just know this is from God.

[InChristsLight]

Genesis 13, when Abraham and Lot part ways has been a Scripture I've been looking at regarding our moving choice.

I've been trying to follow the faith of Abraham, yet when trying to find a place for multiple people with personal preferences it's becoming very apparent that our personal comforts aka climate, amenities etc are interfering. Similar to how Lot gravitated towards luxury and comfort, and we all know how that turned out lol

Thanks for the wisdom and examples, it's been helpful.

[Alive]

“A man’s heart plans his way, But the LORD directs his steps.”

(Proverbs 16:9 NKJV)

 

 

[InChristsLight]

20 hours ago, Michael37 said:

I have bulk sheets of paper on hand, some coloured, and little pocket-size note pads to capture thoughts and impressions in various ways, whether lists or diagrams, scribbles, and sequences to be followed in order to achieve desired outcomes, or workings to establish any priorities that might overrule plans before they get the green light from God.

I'm suspicious of very strong impulses and heightened sensations of extremely sharp clarity as they have proved to be more of my own fabrication and emotions than of the Holy Spirit's wisdom and ministry.

I've been thinking about what you said about extremely sharp clarity. When I pray I ask for clarity. I think I know what you mean with extremely sharp, it's almost like a self will projection that can have excitement attached. Sadly I feel I may run the majority of my life on that. What would be the main difference between the Holy Spirit wisdom of clarity vs extremely sharp clarity?

[Deborah_]

9 hours ago, cma said:

I am kind of in the same boat as InChristsLight. I have to decide on a new place to live. 

Would you say living with unbelievers as a Christian is "off limits"? (I'm thinking 2 Corinthians 6) also I like that you went on logic when you had no direction from GOD. I have made decisions that way, eliminating options simply through conscience and doing what's sensible. 

 

 

 

Many Christians have no choice but to live with unbelievers, if they're members of the family. I don't think that's what Paul is thinking of in 2 Corinthians 6. What he's warning against is "partnerships" - marriages, business ventures, and so on. It's the same with employment - most of us have to work for and/or with unbelievers. A purely Christian workplace is a luxury.

 

19 hours ago, NConly said:

ISA 5: 8 gives a hint

8 Woe unto them that join house to house, that lay field to field, till there be no place, that they may be placed alone in the midst of the earth!

I would say that's a "no" to owning a second home. Fortunately we've never been rich enough to be tempted in that direction! 

[timf]

The decision to move that has been considered for five years does not sound like a binary decision (ie should I move to this particular house, or stay). It sounds more like a decision to remain with a particular situation or not. This could refer to a divorce, a young person trying to get away from their family, or even someone getting a hard time where they work.

In an abusive situation the first priority is to get somewhere safe. Sometimes the answer is to stay;

1Co 7:13  And the woman which hath an husband that believeth not, and if he be pleased to dwell with her, let her not leave him.
1Co 7:14  For the unbelieving husband is sanctified by the wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified by the husband: else were your children unclean; but now are they holy.

Some people use a measurement standard of their own preferences to make a decision. A more biblical method might be to consider where one can do the most good.

You are closest to the situation. Since it is something you have considered fro years, it must be a difficult decision. You may want to also consider options that do not involve moving at all. For example, if you are dealing with a difficult person, you can start to talk about Jesus with them which often results in them leaving you alone.

It may also be possible to experiment with steps shorter than a move. For example, just aiding an activity to your schedule can divert you from people or a situation for a little time (sort of like a mini move) that might shed light on what the effects of a greater absence might be.

In the last analysis, you are going to have to decide. However, you may wish to avoid seeing a move as the only solution if for five years it has been seen as the only option. A narrowing of focus can exclude other options from being considered.