In a new book called Decisive: How to Make Better Choices in Life and Work by Chip and Dan Heath, these two very smart professors and authors argue that humans are hampered by four “enemies” of decision-making:
- Narrow framing
- Confirmation bias
- Short-term emotion
- Overconfidence about how things will work out
These can be overcome with W.R.A.P.:
- Widen your options overcomes narrow framing
- Reality-test your assumptions overcomes confirmation bias
- Attain distance before deciding overcomes short-term emotion
- Prepare to be wrong overcomes overconfidence
Confirmation bias means rather than having an open mind, we make a decision and then look for proof that the decision we already have made was the right one. We don’t really look for evidence on which decision would be best. Pros and Cons lists are written to make sure what we don’t want to do has more pros and what we don’t want to do has more cons. We come to closure way too soon in our decision-making and in life.
A friend of mine contacted me and wanted to learn how to hear God’s voice. I was ready to walk him through this same process that we are walking through during this series. As we caught up on each other’s lives, he told me about a moment when he woke up and decided to just let go of something he had been trying to make happen that seemed to be going nowhere. I asked him how he knew to just “let go.” He paused and answered. “I just knew God wanted me to ‘let go.’” Then he said something incredibly profound: ”I guess it’s not that God isn’t speaking. I guess He’s not saying what I want to hear.”
All of us, no matter where we may be in our spiritual journeys need to be willing to hear the fresh message God has for us.
What are your dreams and hopes for your future? Are these your own dreams or are these dreams God has for you? Are these selfless or selfish dreams?
To experience the life God created us to experience, to become who we were created to be, we need to entrust all of our hopes, dreams, fears, doubts, regrets along with our past, present, and future to God. Let go of your dreams so God can replace them with His dreams for your life – which are far more beautiful than what you could ever imagine!
We can learn to discern God’s voice in our lives when we develop a posture of receptivity. We can move from a hardened heart to a vulnerable one.
For those who follow Jesus, it is normal to hear His voice.
Listen to Jesus’ words from John 10:2-6
The one who enters by the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice. But they will never follow a stranger; in fact, they will run away from him because they do not recognize a stranger’s voice.” Jesus used this figure of speech, but the Pharisees did not understand what he was telling them.
You and I can know God! We can know His voice once we follow Him. God will no longer remain a stranger to you!
When it comes to making decisions, I want to walk you through a process I use which moves God to the center.
So that we will trust Him and pursue Him, God gives us clues. He doesn’t overwhelm us with all that is ahead. He gives us just enough to keep making progress and looking to Him.
He gives us supernatural, external, and internal clues. You can approach God and this process with a specific question or with a general openness.
Seek God for wisdom in every area of your life, and He will guide you.
Consider for a moment: what is God calling you to do?
Do you think He wants you to be married? Considering the possibility He wants you to start a business that serves our city and reaches out to others? Think He may be wanting you to choose a new career path? Take your question to God using this process.
