How do you personally approach decision making when you feel you have a life changing decision to make?

Question

Do you pray? Do you write things down? Serious and polite answers only as I really do not feel like hearing anythingelse please?

Answer 1

Every decision is "life changing" and ther e are no big or little decisions, only decisions. Each one could, and eventually will, lead to our demise.

Answer 2

1. I pray for help in thinking through the issues.
2. I work through the relevant issues, frequently on paper.
3. I discuss the issues with my wife.
4. Depending on the decision I will consult with those whose opinion I value most (e.g., my parents).
5. I make a tentative decision.
6. I ask God in prayer if my decision is correct. If I don't get a feeling of peace about my decision I start over.

God wants us to do the best we can at reaching decisions. After all, earth life is designed for us to grow.

Answer 3

I write, and write, and write until my hand goes numb (or carpal tunnel sets in, for keyboarding). If the decision involves another person, I sometimes direct my words to them as if in a letter, knowing full well I'll probably burn the thing shortly afterward.
I pray, a lot, particularly Scriptural rosaries that keep me in the Word instead of my own tangled thoughts.

A dear priest once told me how he learned to shut everything else out in such situations so that he could listen to God: Meditate on Psalms 46:10.
Be still and know that I am God.
Be still and know that I am.
Be still and know.
Be still.
Be.

Answer 4

I do go into serious prayer in a place where I can really hear from God. Either our 24/7 adoration chapel or at International House of Prayer. I search the daily scripture readings for insight and mark pages that are significant. And then I try to get to a place of really listening to the Holy Spirit.

I do write important stuff down in a journal or the margin of my Bible.

Answer 5

First I pray about it, then in my prayer, I ask God if it is His will ( He always end up answering me when I need it) and if it is to help and open doors, but if it's not, not to make it happen.

In this manner, He opened doors miraculously when it would have been impossible otherwise, and He also protected me from mistakes I might have made.

Prayer and listening to the Holy Spirit. God has a plan for you, He always wants what's best for you (not according to your wants but your real needs) and will help you go the right way according to Him.
If it is a realy important matter, I suggest fasting as well, as long as it takes. it is written to pray and fast. That clear our bodies and opens our mind even more to hearing God's will.

So pray a lot, and some times take time to stop, and listen. ANd fast.

Answer 6

Make separate lists of the pros and cons, assign weights to these criteria on the basis of importance, and sort by weight. Verify that the importance rankings make sense; re-assign weights and re-sort as required. Evaluate the alternatives as to how well they fit each of the criteria, and rate on a scale of 0 to 10. Add the products in each column, and the answer will appear. I have never actually had to go through this song and dance, but it is on the shelf if needed.

Answer 7

I petition for God to open doors and close doors ( opportunities) so that I may follow where He wants me to go and let Him decide. I walk the path and make the best decisions I can from the gut and not the brain. For rivers of life will flow through a man's belly. as Scripture says. If I walk the path God will direct the path. And even though it maybe wrong and I held reverence for God, I believe God will not lose me and will bring me through it. I have recently done this and am now following His lead.

Answer 8

I take out a piece of paper and draw a vertical line down the middle. I write down all the pros and cons of the decision on each side, I then assign value or weights to each, then add them up. I also consider consequences of the decision and assign value/weight to them.

I go with the higher value.

Answer 9

I go with my gut instinct and I never regret anything. Occasionally I might pray if it's a negative decision (I mean, if the decision I'm making is between two negative things, or such), but if it's between two good outcomes - like moving to one place or another - I just go with my heart and gut instinct.

Answer 10

Debra, I usually think about it for a while. I have prayed on occasion as well. When I have made a decision, if I feel peace, I know that I made the right decision.