In the fine print of every resume should be found the term “problem solver.”
To survive this world, one must be able to solve a host of daily challenges that require decision making on a scale both large and small. Not that all of us are equally good at this important essential activity, but on some level, we must all be able to make decisions!
The differences in how we make our decisions is based upon characteristics of personality, temperament and capability. I have observed that when it comes to making decisions, there are three kinds of people: those who let it happen, those who make it happen, and those who
wonder what happened.
God has put each us in the particular orbit of our own circumstance. I believe the greatest determiner of how we respond to the challenges of our circumstances is defined by where we go for help. The apostle Paul offered this insight, “No test or temptation that comes your way is beyond the course of what others have had to face. All you need to remember is that God will never let you down; he'll never let you be pushed past your limit; he'll always be there to help you come through it.” (1Corinthians 10:13 (The Message))
God desires to help you in this process of making decisions. The ancient wisdom of the proverbs speak to the ever present source of Godly insight available. “Happy is the man who finds wisdom,
And the man who gains understanding; For her proceeds are better than the profits of silver,
And her gain than fine gold. (Proverbs 3:13-14)
Unfortunately, for many, their source for decision making is everything but God’s wisdom. Some of those techniques include only considering the advantages and disadvantages of each option, flipping a coin, cutting a deck of playing cards, accepting the first option that seems like it might achieve the desired result, tarot cards, astrology, acquiescing to a perceived person of authority
(the Oprah effect) or calculating the expected value or utility for each option.
Many believe James to be the most practical book in the Bible when it comes to applying faith to life. James wrote, “But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. 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.” (James 1:5-6 )
Keep God in the equation. Your problem solving will be better for it!
