The Crossroads Series: Strategies for Decision-Making

Decision-making is hard and unfortunately unavoidable.  Life does not wait for you to be ready in order to bring on a new scenario.  When we are confronted with tough decisions, we tend to stop dead in our tacks and not move.  It is as if we are walking through a mine field.  A sudden move can be deadly.

Several years ago, I went through a rough situation and I met with a good friend and personal mentor and vented. I was upset. I cried.  I lost sleep.  I lost hope.  I did not know what to do!  For the first time in my life I did not have an answer.  After about two hours of venting, I then proceeded to say these words: “I feel as though I am in a crossroads.”  My friend laughed at me and said: “welcome to the club, I am the president.”  This infuriated me and I looked at him in disbelief.  Fortunately, he clarified his statement.

He proceeded to calmly respond: “I have been there and life has taught me, when at the crossroads just keep walking forward.”  These words will forever remain ingrained in my heart.

I am sure there are plenty of people in the world that have felt the same way I did.  Whether you have gone through a painful situation such as divorce, losing a loved one, or battling cancer; you most likely have experienced those gut wrenching emotions.

Personally, I was able to find comfort in the fact that I was not alone.  Once you are able to realize that, you will be in the right state of mind to proceed.  However, do not get ahead of yourself but rather proceed with caution.

What should I do?!

This seems to be a common question. Whether you’re a business leader, pastor, counselor, or a good friend who has enough patience to hear someone’s dilemma; you have heard this question. Not only have you heard the question; I am sure that you have also asked the question.

During the next few posts I want to cover some common strategies that have helped me in my decision making process and I am sure they will help you as well.

When you need to make decisions, be sure to:

1. Meditate – Take time to meditate about the issue at hand.  This in it of itself will allow you to identify and avoid any pitfalls along the way.  Meditation is a practice that helps you clear your mind and allows you to gain control of the emotions you are experiencing.  It is a discipline that must be practiced.  The Bible says that we must be “slow to speak.”  Meditation helps curb your tongue even in the most desperate of times.

2. Seek Help – Many times our pride gets in the way and we fail to seek help because we are afraid of what someone may think.  Pastors, leaders, and people in general experience moral failure when pride gets in the way of them being able to seek for help.  Please do not fall into this category, find someone of confidence and speak with them about the dilemma.  Notice I said someone?!  Do seek out counsel; however, be careful who you seek it from.  An ideal profile of this person is someone who you trust and either works or has knowledge in the field of counseling or pastoral care or has gone through a similar situation as the one you are facing.  This is therapeutic to you.  Not only are you expressing it to them but you are hearing yourself speak.

I would love to hear some from you.  How do you go about your decision-making process?

Jonathan Iguina (34 Posts)

Jonathan is the author and founder of ConsiderUp.com. He is a husband, a father, and a pastor. He loves Jesus, his family, writing, and playing golf.