Decision making makes or breaks your quality of life. Coach John Wooden said, “There is a choice you have to make in everything you do.  So keep in mind that in the end, the choice you make, makes you.”

Our choices dictate our direction in life. So it is of the utmost importance that we make decisions in the proper frame of mind. If we make decisions while we are in the dumps we wills sabotage our future. Too many people are suffering in life because they have made decisions while in the dumps. Rather than choosing wisely, they have chosen poorly. Bad attitudes produce bad decisions. And bad decisions produce bad outcomes. We have to make decisions when we are thinking clearly and alert.

1 Peter 5:8 (NIV)

Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.

When we are alert we make better decisions. Here are some tips to make good decisions…

1) Wait It Out

Don’t make knee jerk reaction decision in the moment if you don’t have to. The heat of the moment has been the biggest culprit of destroyed lives, broken relationships, financial crisis, and moral failure. Never make a decision out of a highly emotional state of mind. You need to wait it out and let the dust settle before you do something you could regret. Always make it a rule to wait, or sleep on it before you go and do something you’ll regret.

Isaiah 40:31 (NIV)

But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.

2) Play It Out

Don’t make decisions until you have played out the results of your decisions. At least the results of what you currently aware of. This doesn’t mean you need to know all the answers before you make decisions, but it does mean you need to sit down and count the cost before you make quick choices. You need to play out the scenarios and various options before you choose your path. Remember life is about choosing what path you will go down, and decisions will put you on the path to that destination. You don’t just end up somewhere in life on accident, you end up there through a series of choices and situations. Jesus reminded us to play it out…

Luke 14:28-32 (NIV)

28 “Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. Won’t you first sit down and estimate the cost to see if you have enough money to complete it? 29 For if you lay the foundation and are not able to finish it, everyone who sees it will ridicule you, 30 saying, ‘This person began to build and wasn’t able to finish.’

31 “Or suppose a king is about to go to war against another king. Won’t he first sit down and consider whether he is able with ten thousand men to oppose the one coming against him with twenty thousand? 32 If he is not able, he will send a delegation while the other is still a long way off and will ask for terms of peace.

3) Pray It Out

Make decisions after consulting with God. You need to make sure you bath your decisions in prayer and petition to God. Seek Him for answers and direction. God is willing and able to speak with us. In fact, He desires to speak to us and show us His plan if we would tune in to His frequency. How often do you take your decisions to God and ask Him above anyone or anything else? The more we seek Him the more wisdom we gain. And His wisdom leads us in the right direction.

Jeremiah 29:11-14a (NIV)

11 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. 12 Then you will callon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. 13 You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. 14 I will be found by you,” declares the Lord…”