I have always hated making decisions. I smile when I think about how hard it is for certain members of my family to make choices. For instance, we used to make my brother, David, place his order last in a restaurant because if he didn’t, he would change his mind with every order he heard. Also, there were times when the debate over where to eat out on Sunday would cause major tension in my family because no one really knew where they wanted to go. BUT! They DID KNOW where they DID NOT want to go. Silly, huh? When I became an adult, I used to “throw out” suggestions, just so we could narrow down the choices. I knew that sooner or later, I would hit on the right place. It was like we had to be headed somewhere before we could determine if it WAS or WASN’T where we wanted to go. After changing our direction a couple of times, my poor Dad would stop the car and refuse to go ANYWHERE until SOMEONE made a final decision. (In making that statement, I suppose that you have realized that this trait comes from my mother’s side of the family….sorry, Mom!)
I have learned to deal with my own inability to choose by deciding what I DON’T WANT from the beginning and then, letting the “chips fall” where they may. (As for restaurants, I have learned that I can usually find something that appeals to me on the menu wherever we go.) This may be a backward approach, but I eliminate choices by deciding on what I don’t want…and then, choosing from the options that remain.
Buyers’ remorse is something that I have not totally avoided in life, but I cope with that by understanding that some things aren’t really worth the “decision-trauma”. Sometimes you just have to choose. So, I choose. Sometimes I choose well…and sometimes, I don’t.
Another problem I have is that I am a people-pleaser…and I think that because of that tendency…I have difficulty knowing my-SELF. I can assure you that I am getting better at this in my “old age”. There is something liberating about turning 50, I think.
Anyway…
I was sitting in a youth camp this last week thinking about life-choices and remembering an old song that we seemed to sing at camp every year when I was a kid. That song was…”I Have Decided To Follow Jesus…No Turning Back, No Turning Back.” A verse stated, “Though None Go With Me, Still I Will Follow…No Turning Back, No Turning Back.” I can tell you that the most important decision that I ever made was to follow Jesus…and that ALL of the other big decisions that I have made in my life have been evaluated by, and BASED UPON, that one choice.
I have never turned back. I have never regretted the decision and I have never suffered any “Buyer’s Remorse”. It was a good decision…the right decision. At the foundation of my life, I CHOSE Him and He has subsequently directed the pathways of my life. There have been times that I have had to reconfirm that choice, but I have found that when I truly choose HIM…when my heart is settled…that all of the other life-decisions are easier to make. I have had to learn HOW to LISTEN for His voice.
His Word says (paraphrased) that His children will know His voice. I have found this to be true…but I have also found that I have to be fully yielded to Him to UNDERSTAND what His will is. When I resolve all of my “self”-ish desires and I am ready to listen…He speaks. He always does…and His plans for me are always prosperous ones.
I just have to “let go” and “let God”…
So, when we struggle with indecision…maybe we should consider the reason or basis of the struggle. Maybe we just need to settle the issues of our heart…and then, let go…
“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
Just a little food for thought.
