I have always struggled with decisions to the point where I will not even go and rent a movie. Nonetheless I wanted to get some opinions as to decisions and doubt. I have heard many times, when in doubt do nothing and the light will eventually come. I have never lived my life that way and am wondering if anxiety, ocd and depression can keep one from making a decision all together?
I am trying to make a big decision and am feeling some doubt, although I know I could wait, I dont know why I would, other than this little pang of doubt.. is this god's voice guiding me?
any thoughts or advice would be great its killing my positive thinking!
Decision making
Maeggie, I'm not sure what session you are on in the course, but I believe in session 8 Lucinda talks about practicing making decisions more quickly.
Yes, if faced with a really tough decision the answer will come to you quite often, but sometimes indecisiveness (SP?) itself can prevent the answer from coming. Save the times where you 'pause and wait' for the big answers.
A friend once told me that if she sits at the foot of her bed and prays to God to come and make her bed, it's really unlikely that he's going to do it. He's given you the strength to do it and that is his help. Much the same with decisions. It is unlikely that waiting for the answer is going to help you choose the video or the right kind of cookies at the store.
Try to see the little ones as what they are - little decisions that really don't impact your life one way or the other.
The big ones are harder - for sure! :p I've struggled with big decisions myself. What I find works for me is I think about it - weighing the pros and cons, then before going to bed I say to myself "after sleeping on this, I'll have an answer to XXX". Sometimes it comes and sometimes it doesn't, but the most important thing is that you MAKE a decision. Not making a decision is in essence making a decision, but without really feeling that you've done something. It leaves you feeling powerless - which we're trying to avoid, right?
Maybe God is telling you to wait - in which case, that is what you need to know. Try to sleep on that question before tackling the big one, then go from there.
Above all, know that no matter what you decide - it is your decision and that alone makes it the right decision for you!
Enjoy girl and do your best to let it go!
Ronda
Yes, if faced with a really tough decision the answer will come to you quite often, but sometimes indecisiveness (SP?) itself can prevent the answer from coming. Save the times where you 'pause and wait' for the big answers.
A friend once told me that if she sits at the foot of her bed and prays to God to come and make her bed, it's really unlikely that he's going to do it. He's given you the strength to do it and that is his help. Much the same with decisions. It is unlikely that waiting for the answer is going to help you choose the video or the right kind of cookies at the store.
Try to see the little ones as what they are - little decisions that really don't impact your life one way or the other.
The big ones are harder - for sure! :p I've struggled with big decisions myself. What I find works for me is I think about it - weighing the pros and cons, then before going to bed I say to myself "after sleeping on this, I'll have an answer to XXX". Sometimes it comes and sometimes it doesn't, but the most important thing is that you MAKE a decision. Not making a decision is in essence making a decision, but without really feeling that you've done something. It leaves you feeling powerless - which we're trying to avoid, right?
Maybe God is telling you to wait - in which case, that is what you need to know. Try to sleep on that question before tackling the big one, then go from there.
Above all, know that no matter what you decide - it is your decision and that alone makes it the right decision for you!
Enjoy girl and do your best to let it go!
Ronda
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Mello Nello
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Maeggie,
Usually when i decision is a small one,, go with your gut feeling! Over the years ive learned, that your gut is never wrong. After making some very "ME" decisions instead of listening to my gut'
Major decisions, I pray about, and Let God lead me in those. Sometimes,, we make decisions without regarding anything, ourselves or our gut. But, each decision we make, we learn something.. Even the ones we make wrong.. Nelly:)
Usually when i decision is a small one,, go with your gut feeling! Over the years ive learned, that your gut is never wrong. After making some very "ME" decisions instead of listening to my gut'
Major decisions, I pray about, and Let God lead me in those. Sometimes,, we make decisions without regarding anything, ourselves or our gut. But, each decision we make, we learn something.. Even the ones we make wrong.. Nelly:)
Hi Rhonda and Nelly:
thank you both for responding! I certainly learned something from each of your posts!
How do you make the big decisions? how do you know what is right? what criteria to follow? I am in my mid twenties and although through school and working on a career I feel I deserve more for what I do, more money, more recognition.. etc. and my relationship has always been flippy.. I feel I am at crossroads with my life in all the major ways, work, finances, relationships, family- where do I start? I feel if I continue to just live I will 'waste' valuable time.. do you know what I mean?
thank you both for responding! I certainly learned something from each of your posts!
How do you make the big decisions? how do you know what is right? what criteria to follow? I am in my mid twenties and although through school and working on a career I feel I deserve more for what I do, more money, more recognition.. etc. and my relationship has always been flippy.. I feel I am at crossroads with my life in all the major ways, work, finances, relationships, family- where do I start? I feel if I continue to just live I will 'waste' valuable time.. do you know what I mean?
Maeggie - like Nellie said, your gut is never, ever wrong. I try to go with that - but it takes time and we ignore it!
For example - a recent decision was whether to attend a course about 'getting more' from your life. I had met with the fellow who puts the course one and he said a lot of the right things, but he also said some of the things that pushed my buttons and I was really unsure. I actually got quite defensive about it and felt I 'needed' to go. :p
To help me make my deicion I called a friend who knew about the sessions and talked to her. From her insight, I decided not to go and I felt immediate peace for following what my gut was trying to tell me (and I was trying to ignore!)
So, I guess my criteria is: get some information (though don't overload), think about pros and cons, then go with your gut and ask God for help. If I'm still uncertain, I just do the best I can. Like Lucinda says (you'll love session 8), there isn't much that can't be undone.
I'm in my late 30's and I've had some doozy decisions in the last 10 years. Massive job changes, left my husband, got remarried... it goes on! Somehow you figure it out, but remember you can find the positive in any decision you make - you will learn from it no matter what!
I hope this helps!
Ronda
For example - a recent decision was whether to attend a course about 'getting more' from your life. I had met with the fellow who puts the course one and he said a lot of the right things, but he also said some of the things that pushed my buttons and I was really unsure. I actually got quite defensive about it and felt I 'needed' to go. :p
To help me make my deicion I called a friend who knew about the sessions and talked to her. From her insight, I decided not to go and I felt immediate peace for following what my gut was trying to tell me (and I was trying to ignore!)
So, I guess my criteria is: get some information (though don't overload), think about pros and cons, then go with your gut and ask God for help. If I'm still uncertain, I just do the best I can. Like Lucinda says (you'll love session 8), there isn't much that can't be undone.
I'm in my late 30's and I've had some doozy decisions in the last 10 years. Massive job changes, left my husband, got remarried... it goes on! Somehow you figure it out, but remember you can find the positive in any decision you make - you will learn from it no matter what!
I hope this helps!
Ronda
Who knew the internet could be so beneficial to people like us huh?