Making decisions

Decisions. What predicaments they sometimes present! How in the world can we decide correctly what to do? There is a sure way: turn to God for guidance. If God is infinitely wise and good (and He is), His law is certainly able to hold our lives in harmony.

Before seeking God's direction in any situation, it is wise to reinforce our understanding of Him; to see more clearly that He is omniscient Mind, the source of all intelligence, the sole cause and true creator, the controller of all. Because God is good, His control is good. Under that control there can be no mistakes, no erroneous judgments, no improper or untimely actions. Man -- the true identity of each one of us -- is made in His spiritual and immortal image and expresses His unerring intelligence.

As we understand God's infallible care of His own, of His eternal idea, we can confidently expect guidance in every instance. We won't have to be afraid. We will humbly trust God's law of harmony to reveal the correct action we should take.

In seeking direction, we need to be careful about listening to opinions. Sometimes opinions lack appreciation of our particular situation, or are prejudiced and may not be helpful at all. It is often better to postpone such seeking until we have established more firmly our certainty that God's wisdom is at hand to guide us. Then if opinions still seem desirable, we can weigh them with greater surety.

On occasion we may try to make a decision by considering all the pluses and minuses involved in the situation, hoping this will provide the needed leading. While such an approach may be helpful, it may also introduce reasoning that is unenlightened by divine direction, and that leads to wrong conclusions. We may do well to delay plus and minus considerations until we have drawn closer to God and His guiding vision.

What do we do if, after praying for guidance, we still can't reach a decision? Our best course may be to take a first step, knowing that we will have the inspiration needed to correct our action if correction is needed. Mary Baker Eddy n1 states: "The good cannot lose their God, their help in times of trouble. If they mistake the divine command, they will recover it, countermand their order, retrace their steps, and reinstate His orders, more assured to press on safely." n2 As we trust God step by step, we can reach any legitimate goal.

n1 Mrs. Eddy is the Discoverer and Founder of Christian Science

n2 Miscellaneous Writings,m p. 10

There may be times when, after adequate prayer, we feel impelled to take a certain action, even though it goes against our inclinations. I learned it is sometimes well to follow such an impulsion. I had an extremely important decision to make. I did my best to place the whole matter in the hands of God and to trust His law of eternal good for man. Then I listened. the answer that came was unexpected and frightening, and I resisted accepting it. But I finally felt impelled to take the indicated step despite my reluctance. The result was a blessing greater than I had ever imagined.

Christ Jesus continually turned to God for direction. He recognized divine Mind's infinite wisdom and knew that his understanding of Mind would give him guidance in every instance. He said, "The Son can do nothing of himself, but what he seeth the Father do: for what things soever he doeth, these also doeth the Son likewise." n3 We should do no less than strive to seek Mind's guidance as the Master did.

n3 John 5:19

It is not always easy to stop human reasoning with its despair and doubts, and go right to omniscient Mind for inspiration. Sometimes we need great selflessness, humility, and trust to drop anxiety and turn to God. But it helps to remember that His law endows us with the understanding and willingness needed to seek Him and His direction.

It's good to know that there are the means at hand for making correct, timely , and satisfying decisions. They come through our turning to God and seeking the understanding of His infinite love for man. DAILY BIBLE VERSE The Lord's hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither his ear heavy, that i t cannot hear. Isaiah 59:1

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