Kris Vallotton • May 21, 2021

How to Take the Anxiety Out of Decision Making

SIMPLIFYING THE DECISION MAKING PROCESS

Whether you are the stay-at-home mom or the president of the United States, choices present themselves all day long. Can you even begin to count the number of decisions you make in a day? Decisions begin from the very moment you wake up; will you snooze your alarm or what will you eat for breakfast? These are probably the kinds of decisions you almost make subconsciously. Then, there are the decisions that might make you stop in your tracks and ponder what to do — should I marry that person or should I take that job? Decisions like these feel they could be life-altering.

I have recently felt the importance to remember that no matter how big the decision is that lies in front of me; the Lord has a purpose and plan for my life. The truth is, the choices you make could not remove the purpose and call on your life. I wanted to share with you today a blog that I previously posted on the topic of purpose and choices (originally posted on June 7th, 2019). I hope you feel encouraged and expectant for what the Lord has in store for your life.

CAN YOU MESS UP GOD’S PLAN FOR YOUR LIFE?

Have you ever needed to make an important life decision and felt the weight of the world pressing down on your shoulders as you wrestle with the question — what is the right choice? The pressure can paralyze you as you struggle to decipher God’s will for your life, and perhaps even wrestle with the thought that you could mess it all up, or miss out on what He’s leading you to do.

The truth is that we have all been there; myself included. The load can feel unbearable, the anxiety smothering and the fear immobilizing.

As we journey through life, we often come to crossroads and can see only two distinct options: on one hand, we could choose God’s will, or we could completely miss it. We could make the right choice or the wrong one. We could either pass or fail; thrive or settle. When we view the outcome of our decisions this way, with only one option to succeed, the stakes can feel extremely high.

I love the truth that the prophet Jeremiah declares, “‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.’” (Jeremiah 29:11)

Did you catch that God has plans? That’s plural, people! Not just one single plan!

Check out this video to hear more about God’s many plans for your life, or scroll to read the video summary:

In a nutshell:

• Jesus was crucified from the foundation of the world (Revelation 13:8). Isn’t it interesting that before Adam had a problem, God had an answer? Have you ever failed so miserably that you thought you messed up God’s plan? He’s had an answer for that since the foundation of the world!

• Do you know why Jesus, the King of Kings, was born in a manger? Practically speaking, it was because there was no room in the hotel. Wouldn’t you think that God, who planned this event since the foundation of the world, could have orchestrated a place for Jesus to be born? What we can learn here is that sometimes we think if God has called us to do something, that everything is supposed to go smoothly. However, this is not always true! A perfect plan and smooth sailing is not always an indicator of God’s will!

• God has a purpose for our lives, not a singular plan…. but He has many plans to get us to our purpose.

• Several years ago I heard a message by Mark Chironna. He broke down Jeremiah 29:11 and explained that the word “plans” in Hebrew actually means “purpose, destiny, invention and design.” In fact, the NKJV says, “I know the thoughts I have for you…”

• Mark went on to share that God doesn’t have a plan for your life, He has a purpose for your life, and He has a lot of plans to get you to your purpose.

• What does that mean for us? We can’t screw it up! If you mess up plan A, He’s got a plan B, C and D to get you where you need to go. He can redirect and change the plan one thousand times to meet the purpose.

YOU CAN’T MESS IT UP!

I really want you to get this — you cannot mess up God’s purpose for your life! He has many plans to get you to your purpose. So today, let’s take the high stakes out of the equation of our destinies, take the weight of the world off of our shoulders, and take a deep breath under the comfort of the Prince of Peace.

God wasn’t surprised or panicked that there was no room for Jesus to be born in an inn. In the same way, He’s not surprised that your life has not been perfect. Perfection was never the plan! And guess what? Whatever decisions you’re facing today, He is with you in them and He’s championing you into the incredible purpose He has set before you. I want to encourage you that no matter where you’re at in your journey or what crossroads you perceive to be in front of you, keep moving forward and pressing into Him.

LET LOVE COVER YOU IN YOUR DECISIONS AND PLANS

God is a good Father, not a circus ring leader trying to get you to walk a tightrope through life! I pray that regardless of the mountains you’re climbing, the decisions you’re processing, or the challenges you’re facing, that you would be wrapped in God’s multifaceted love today. God’s love is a powerful force through which we can interpret all of life’s experiences.

Remember the Scriptures say, “and that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge” (Ephesians 3:17–19).

The love of Jesus is multidimensional; it has breadth. It is an extensive, all-encompassing ocean of adoration that covers you in dark seasons and protects you through the night.

The love of Jesus has length; it goes the distance. You can’t fall so far that it can’t catch you, run so fast that it can’t get you, or hide so well that it can’t find you. His love is better than your worst day, stronger than the most defiant will, and more forgiving than your cruelest sin. When you give up, love goes on; when you fall down, it picks you up.

Love gives courage when you’re afraid, hope when you feel helpless, and strength when you’re weary. Love goes the distance!

The agape love of Christ has height; it exceeds all your expectations. Paul emphasizes this dimension of God’s love in the next verse when he writes that God “is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us” (Ephesians 3:20 NKJV).

If you’ve asked for it, love gives more; if you’ve thought it, love takes it higher. If you’ve dreamt big, love dreams bigger; if you’ve aimed high, love aims higher.

You dream of a family; love dreams of a legacy. You ask for a job; love finds you a destiny. You hope for peace; love longs for a ministry. You pray for heaven; love gives you His city. Go ahead, think really big . . . but it will never compare to what love has already planned for you!

Do you struggle with a religious tightrope mentality? How do you work through that? Are you facing a big life decision right now? I’d love to hear from you in the comments below!

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