The A, B, C Plan for Good Decision-Making

Decisions are sometimes hard to make, especially when pertinent information is obscure or missing.  Whenever possible, it is best to gather the facts and understand the ins and outs of a situation before making a decision.  But how can we make a good decision when our minds are filled with unanswered questions that lead to confusion?

Plan A: Seek wisdom from God.

James 1:5 tells us: “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.”

What a wonderful assurance!  When we face difficult decisions and lack the understanding we need, we can ask God for wisdom and trust Him to help us discern the best course of action.

I want to make it clear that I am not suggesting we seek answers through Ouija boards, tarot cards, seances, or other practices associated with the occult.  As believers, our guidance should come from God, His Word, and the wisdom He provides—not from spiritual practices that draw us away from Him.  I am talking about having the mind of Christ, seeking His guidance, and making sound decisions in accordance with His will.

Plan B: Seek godly counsel.

I believe godly counsel goes hand in hand with seeking the will of God.  Sometimes, another person’s wisdom and perspective can help us see things we might otherwise overlook. 

Proverbs 11:14 teaches us the value of seeking wise advice before making important decisions: “Where there is no counsel, the people fall; but in the multitude of counselors there is safety.”

Seeking godly counsel does not mean others will always have the answers we need.  Rather, it allows us to benefit from the wisdom and experience of those who desire to honor God in their own lives.

Now, what about Plan C?  I have given this some serious thought, and I believe faith is the foundation that holds the first two plans together.

We can gather information and seek wise counsel, but there will be times when we cannot see the whole picture or know what lies ahead.  This is where faith becomes so important. 

Proverbs 3:5-6 reminds us: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.”

We may not always understand why a particular path lies before us, but we can trust the One who sees what we cannot.  Faith allows us to move forward with confidence in God’s love, trusting Him to guide our steps as we seek to follow His will and serve His Son, Jesus Christ, with all that is within us.

Hebrews 11:1 further reminds us: “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.”

Faith does not mean we will always know what lies ahead.  It means we can trust God even when we cannot see the outcome.

The bottom line for good decision-making is this: Gather the facts, seek godly counsel, and walk by faith, trusting God to direct your steps.  We may not always have every answer, but we can seek His wisdom, follow His leading, and trust Him with what we cannot see.

We don’t have to see the whole road to trust the One who directs our steps.

That, to me, is the A, B, C plan for good decision-making.

Written by,

Papa Boyd