Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy

Welcome to Day 188 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me.

This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom.

The Science of Making Wise Decisions

Thank you for joining us for our 7 days a week, 7 minutes of wisdom podcast. This is Day 188 of our Trek, and yesterday we hiked the trail of 10 Principles for Gaining Self-Confidence. Today we will study The Science of Making Wise Decisions. If you miss any of our Wisdom-Trek episodes, please go to Wisdom-Trek.com to listen to them and read the daily journal.

We are recording our podcast from our studio at The Big House in Marietta, Ohio. We are making some progress on the library. After removing the ceiling tiles, we have determined that the plaster ceiling that was under them is not suitable to finish, so we will need to have that ceiling dry-walled. Since I am not skilled in installing drywall, we have contacted our renovation contractor to see if he has time in his schedule. We were hoping to avoid the extra expense of the drywall, but it was not to be. These are the joys of renovating an older large home.

Our client work has been extremely brisk this week, but we are making progress. It is my hope that I will be able to do some 2016 planning on Saturday before having our grandkids in for the evening.

It is time to shift now, and make some decisions about our trek today. Every day of our trek of life is filled with decisions.  If we make wise decisions, then the opportunities and choices for our lives are expanded. If we make unwise decisions, then our opportunities and choices for life are limited by those decisions. On today’s trek we will explore…

The Science of Making Wise Decisions

To think we go through our day, every day, making decision after decision without really thinking about how we do it. At least until something challenging pops up, and then we wring our hands and constantly repeat, “I just don’t know what to do.”

Even in those moments, we naturally seek out the opinions and advice of people we love and trust. But still, we hesitate, worry, and procrastinate, putting off the puzzling choice. We fear it will be the wrong choice. We fear the consequences of our perplexing decision. We worry about people getting hurt.

But, there is hope!

 

• The Study of Making Wise Decisions

People actually study the process of decision making! They develop models for making decisions with algorithms, equations, and even games of chance (flipping a coin). However, most studies agree on the 6 C’s of decision making:

• Construct
• Compile
• Collect
• Compare
• Consider
• Commit

Yet, few take into consideration our access to the God of All – the very creator of the universe.  Learn to make some big decisions using the 6 C’s plus a 7^th C, which is Christ!

• The 7 C’s of Making Wise Decisions

We must take an active role in the decisions that we make to ensure that they are good and wise, but we also have to realize that our wisdom actually comes from God as is mentioned in Proverbs 16:1-4,

We can make our own plans, but the Lord gives the right answer.

 People may be pure in their own eyes, but the Lord examines their motives.

Commit your actions to the Lord, and your plans will succeed.

The Lord has made everything for his own purposes, even the wicked for a day of disaster. 

As we take the advice from the above passage, let us then weave it into our decision-making model:

1. Construct – Think of this as drawing a map. You want to know exactly what needs to be decided. Are you deciding to move or drive to a job site two hours from home? Be crystal clear about the choice you need to make.
2. Compile – Make a list of the requirements which must be met. For example, salary, time with family, and job satisfaction. The list will include both facts and figures (quantifiable) but also attitudes and opinions (unquantifiable) of all interested parties.
3. Collect – Collect information on alternatives to the decision you are facing. Consider options you have not explored that are relevant to the situation AND that meet the requirements from your compiled list. In the case of the job, you could consider turning it down, living away from home and renting during the week, waiting for the school year to be over before moving, etc.
4. Compare – Compare the alternatives to the major choice. Consider what makes one better than another. Examine each choice from all angles.
5. Consider – Think about all the possible positive and negative consequences of each choice. Ask what could go right or wrong for every idea on the table.
6. Commit – Make a decision and go for it.

As a Christ follower, we have a distinct advantage in decision making. That advantage comes in the form of prayer, communication, and counsel. Let’s change up a couple of these to take into account the wisdom that we can gain through God’s Word, which was manifested in Christ.  The 7^th C of making wise decisions is the most important step.

Use all your worldly and spiritual resources to make decisions; God gave us a brain and free will for a reason. But remember Proverbs 16:9, and find peace in it…

We can make our plans, but the Lord determines our steps.

7. Consult with Christ

Consider with Prayer – Of course you could spend a lot of your time and even get stuck in the consideration stage wondering what could go wrong, or you can pray as is encouraged in Philippians 4:6…

Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done.

You don’t have to continuously struggle with what-could-go-wrong. You will get the answers you seek when you pray.

Communicate – Consider seeking wise counsel as instructed by the Word of God. We are to communicate with those people in our lives that care the most for us. Can you imagine making a major decision without discussing it with your spouse or close friend? This whole process should be undertaken with your spouse or a close friend. Each of you will have a unique perspective on every one of the C’s of decision making. Additionally praying about it, together and individually, will lead to unity in the decision. God will speak to you both. It’s just good sense! Proverbs [16:20]-22 provides us with sound advice…

 Those who listen to instruction will prosper; those who trust the Lord will be joyful.

The wise are known for their understanding, and pleasant words are persuasive.

Discretion is a life-giving fountain to those who possess it, but discipline is wasted on fools

Counsel – Seeking the counsel of your spouse or friend is not the only wisdom you should pursue. Sage counsel and wisdom involve being fully informed. It’s also sometimes prudent to talk to a mentor, pastor, or a professional counselor. Get wisdom as Proverbs 16:16 says, “How much better to get wisdom than gold, and good judgment than silver!”

Control – Give it up! God asks us to seek Him. Matthew 7:8 says, “For everyone who asks, Everyone who seeks, finds. And to everyone who knocks, the door will be opened. He tells us when we ask we will get an answer, when we seek we will find, and when we knock the door will be opened.” Bottom line – God won’t leave you dangling. We may make our plans, but God controls the outcome. Proverbs 16:33 reminds, “We may throw the dice, but the Lord determines how they fall.”

The 7 C’s of decision making provide sound guidelines that, if followed will allow us to make good and wise choices. Put these guidelines into practice for every decision that you make. Just as you have made a wise decision to listen to Wisdom-Trek each day, share Wisdom-Trek with your friends and family and encourage them to join us and come along tomorrow for another day of our Wisdom-Trek, Creating a Legacy. We will look at why we should never argue but instead learn to discuss.

That will finish our podcast for today. Remember to listen to your daily dose of wisdom each day. Please share Wisdom-Trek with your family and friends through email, Facebook, Twitter, or in person so they can come along with us each day.

If you would like to be added to our weekly email update and special publications from Wisdom-Trek, just text the word “Wisdom” to 44222 on your phone, and you will receive a message asking for your email address. It is very quick and easy to do.

Thank you for allowing me to be your guide, mentor, and most of all your friend as I serve you through the Wisdom-Trek podcast and journal each day.

As we take this Trek together, let us always:

1. Live Abundantly (Fully)
2. Love Unconditionally
3. Listen Intentionally
4. Learn Continuously
5. Lend to others Generously
6. Lead with Integrity
7. Leave a Living Legacy Each Day

This is Guthrie Chamberlain reminding you to Keep Moving Forward, Enjoy Your Journey, and Create a Great Day Every Day! See you tomorrow!