We all make decisions every day. As a young person, it is important that you learn to make good decisions. Let us try to find out some steps that can help you make the right decisions in life.
Wisdom
The first thing needed to make good decisions is wisdom. Wisdom is the ability to apply knowledge in a practical way. The Bible speaks much about wisdom. There are at least two important lessons you should know. One, the Bible says that the fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom (Proverbs 9:10). Those who fear the LORD avoid evil.
The second lesson is from James. He tells us that God gives wisdom to those who ask God for it (James 1:5). He advises us to ask without doubting. When we ask God he gives us the wisdom to make good decisions.
Ask God First
Before you make any big decision, seek God’s counsel. That means asking God’s opinion as to what to do. When Saul saw the vision of the risen Jesus Christ on the road to Damascus, he asked this same question. “What shall I do, Lord?” (Acts 22:10). Jesus, before he chose the 12 disciples spent an entire night in prayer (Luke 6:12, 13). See how big an importance Jesus gave to asking God for wisdom in choosing his disciples.
In the Old Testament, the story is told about 2 kings getting ready to go to war. But suddenly the godly king Jehoshaphat reminds everybody that it is good to go to war, but seek God’s counsel first (1 Kings 22:5). The simple lesson for you is Ask God First.
Stay Away from Evil
So many young people are attracted by evil because it looks good. Instead of avoiding that evil, they go and get a taste of it. Soon, they find that they made the wrong decision when they are trapped by evil.
When friends encourage you to go along with them to participate in wrong deeds, the right decision always is to say “No” to them. They may make fun of you and might not include you in their group. But your decision will be right. And God will reward you for staying away from evil.
Think About Consequences
If you plant a mango seed in the ground, after some years you will get a mango tree and plenty of mangoes. Likewise every decision you make is like a seed you plant. Some years later you will reap the harvest. If you have sown good seed, you will reap goodness. But if you have sown bad seed, you will be paid back evil.
So whenever you make a decision, think about the consequences. What is going to happen if you decide not to study but run away from home and school? So many young people think that life is like a movie which shows happy endings. Sadly it is not true.
In movies, most of the stories shown are not real. Life is not like that. It involves lot of struggles and hardship. So deciding not to study is a bad decision. This is because it is going to give you negative results. When all your friends have good jobs and families in future, you alone will be wandering around without money or people to support you.
The Greatest Decision
One of the most familiar verse to all is John 3:16. Jesus talks here about God’s great love. Those who accept Jesus will not perish but have eternal life. No doubt, accepting Jesus as Lord and Saviour of one’s life is the greatest decision. And it will affect your life on this earth and eternity as well.
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