Don’t make decisions out of fear

Do you have a decision to make today? Most likely yes. Usually, even before your first coffee kicks in. 😉

Maybe it’s an email reply or a conversation… And you know very well that your yes or no will determine what happens next. You also know that a nervous—or even irritated—response can significantly shape the mood of the entire day.

In everyday life, this shows up very practically:

• We rewrite emails ten times.

• We postpone conversations or decide too quickly.

• We snap at family members just to release inner tension, and end up apologizing ten times because we didn’t really mean it…

And in the end, it’s all just fear. Fear of decisions. Fear of mistakes. Fear of failure, of costs, of missing out.

Listen closely: Fear wants relief—but not necessarily wisdom. 🤔

Fear pushes to make the uncomfortable feeling disappear IMMEDIATELY. It seeks relief through avoidance, sidestepping, canceling, withdrawing, or trying to control everything.

Wisdom, on the other hand, doesn’t first ask, “What feels better right now?” but, “What is true, good, and RIGHT in the long term?”

In the Bible, we meet King Solomon at exactly this point. When he takes on responsibility, and God says to him: “Ask for whatever you want me to give you!” (c) https://www.bible.com/bible/116/1KI.3.5.NLT He doesn’t ask God to never feel fear again—or never to face difficult moments again. 

Instead, he simply says: “Give your servant a discerning heart to govern your people and to distinguish between right and wrong.” (1 Kings 3:9)  

Seriously, Solomon? That’s it? You could have asked for anything! But don’t forget how God responded:

“Since you have asked for this and not for long life or wealth for yourself, nor have asked for the death of your enemies…” (which would also have ended his fears!) “...but for discernment in administering justice, I will do what you have asked. I will give you a wise and discerning heart…” (1 Kings 3:11-12)

Wisdom will help you become a good judge over your fears and emotions. It will help you avoid early (wrong) decisions that can have long-term consequences you could have avoided.

In short, when God GIVES wisdom, it TAKES away fear.

So what will you ask God for today as you make decisions? 😉

You are a miracle!