GRANDE IDEIA
You can make wise choices.
LEITURA
Prov. 1
PENSAMENTOS
We all make decisions differently. Some of us do what feels right or what we think is right, and some of us follow our heart, our gut, or our experience. We all like to make the right decisions that benefit the people we love and ourselves, yet we often make bad decisions. Consider this question for a moment: How do you usually make decisions?
Wisdom
Wisdom is the key to making good choices. As you grow in God-centred wisdom, you will be able to make significant decisions with short and long-term benefits (Prov. 16:16, 19:8).
Getting wisdom is the wisest thing you can do, and whatever else you do, develop good judgment. Prov. 4:7
Priorities
Wisdom starts by putting God first. It begins with a great love for God and a desire to understand His character and nature. Sometimes the decision to put God first may cost us in the short term, yet putting God first also pays dividends in the long run (Deut. 6:5; Mark 12:30).
Fear of the Lord is the foundation of wisdom. Knowledge of the Holy One results in good judgment. Prov. 9:10
A Bíblia
The Bible gives us principles for living well. As you read and obey God’s Word, you will notice your ability to make wise choices increase. You will see that you will get the results He designed for you to experience (Ps. 19:7–14).
Your word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path. Ps. 119:105
Counsel
We are also encouraged to seek out wisdom from those who are farther along the path than we are. These are advisors who have our best interests in mind and aren’t shy about telling us what we need to hear. Who are those you look to for counsel in your life? You might have to pursue people rather than hoping they will appear before you.
Where no counsel is, the people fall: but in the multitude of counsellors, there is safety. Prov. 11:14
Speaking
God also wants to give us personal direction and an inner nudge as to the direction we ought to take in each situation. As we are faithful to obey His Word and His inner nudges, we can become aware of Him speaking to us in different circumstances.
You will hear a voice behind you saying, “This is the way. Follow it, whether it turns to the right or the left.” Isa. 30:21
Complexity
There are often moments when we’re faced with complex situations in which there are no simple answers. God has prom- ised to give us supernatural wisdom in those situations. If we ask God for wisdom and wait on Him until the answer comes, we can be sure that He will show us the right decision to make. It takes patience and a willingness to trust the process (Isa. 30:21).
If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for the asking. James 1:5
Questions
Wisdom can sometimes be found in taking into consideration past experiences, present circumstances, and future dreams. Here are a few questions you can ask as you contemplate future decisions: Does this honour God? Is this the right thing to do? Does this promote human life? Am I acting out of good motives? Is this loving toward God, myself, and other people? How does this reflect my priorities and responsibilities? What will I regret doing/ not doing? What are the short and long-term implications of this decision? Can I afford/not afford this?
Perhaps you need to create a chart with all the positive and negative ramifications of the choices you will make. Writing things down creates clarity. What are a few other questions you might add to this list?
Sovereignty
The bad news is that we’re all prone to making bad decisions. We’re all growing to understand truth more, to handle our emotions, to be healed from past experiences, and to learn God’s perspective. The good news is that when you make bad decisions, God can still turn bad situations into beautiful endings.
And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them. Rom. 8:28
DISCUSSÃO
- How can you rest in the fact that despite the decisions you make, God can turn them for your good?