How to Make Hard Decisions
Navigating career shifts and gut instincts: personal growth and spiritual guidance.

by | Jul 15, 2024

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🎙️ Tune into Episode 20 of the “Thrive Podcast Network” for an unmissable discussion: “Am I Doing This Right? How to Make Hard Decisions.” Join hosts Morgan May Treuil and Leslie Johnston as they delve into the gut-wrenching reality of decision-making. Leslie recounts her journey from aiming for Nike to finding unexpected fulfillment at Bayside and the emotional turmoil of a hair dye disaster that left her in tears, while Morgan shares her shocking 7th-grade slap incident that led to a classmate’s concussion. They tackle the emotional rollercoaster of decision-making, explore the power of gut feelings, and reveal how trust in God’s guidance can lead to life-changing outcomes.

Are you making the right decisions, or are you letting fear and regret hold you back? Prepare to be inspired and gain the clarity you’ve been seeking.

Finding Clarity in Hard Decisions: Trusting God, Gut Feelings, and the Journey Ahead

Embracing the Uncertainty of Decision-Making with Faith

In the maze of life’s decisions, it’s easy to feel lost and confused. Perhaps you’re evaluating career opportunities, contemplating a significant life change, or even just figuring out daily choices that seem to carry a heavy weight. The truth is, we’re all navigating hard decisions. So, how do we find clarity amid the uncertainty? This discussion will delve into the profound intersection of faith, intuition, and practical wisdom, providing a pathway for making decisions that honor God and align with our deepest desires.

Embracing Emotional Cycles in Decision-Making

Every decision comes with its emotional rollercoaster—excitement, fear, frustration, and sometimes even grief. It’s crucial to recognize that these emotions are not obstacles but rather essential parts of the decision-making process. In our journey, we often face feelings of regret or sadness, but acknowledging these emotions can lead to unexpected positive outcomes.

Grief, in particular, is an emotion often shied away from. However, experiencing grief can provide profound insights and personal growth. It’s essential not to make significant decisions in times of overt grief or loneliness as these emotions can cloud our judgment. Allow yourself to feel, to grieve, and to gain a deeper understanding of yourself and your desires.

Trusting Your Gut: Your Second Brain

One intriguing method for decision-making is listening to your gut feeling. Often described as a second brain, our gut offers insight beyond our conscious mind. This doesn’t mean we should always follow our instinct blindly, but our gut feelings can serve as a valuable guide.

To genuinely tap into this wisdom, take a moment to breathe deeply and listen to your initial reaction. This practice can align with the Holy Spirit’s guidance, offering a blend of intuition and divine insight. Trust in your gut feeling, but also seek wisdom and discernment in your decisions.

Faith-Based Leadership: Finding Your Purpose in Christ

Many struggle with decisions that affect their careers and broader life purposes. This is where faith-based leadership principles become essential. Whether you’re contemplating a career move, starting a new project, or stepping into a leadership role, grounding your decisions in Christ can provide clarity and confidence.

For instance, Leslie Johnston’s journey post-graduation highlighted the balance between financial necessity and career fulfillment. Initially aiming to work for Nike, she found herself at Bayside—an opportunity that seemed like a compromise but ultimately offered her creative fulfillment and alignment with her career path. This story underscores the importance of aligning career decisions with God’s plans and being open to shifts in passion and direction.

Building a Relationship with God: The 30-Day Morning Challenge

Building a relationship with God is foundational for making wise decisions. A practical way to deepen this relationship is through the proposed 30-day morning challenge. By dedicating each morning to investing in a relationship with God and making one positive decision daily, we can ground ourselves in faith and clarity.

Consider starting your day with prayer, reflection, and seeking the fruits of the spirit from Galatians. This practice not only prepares you spiritually and mentally but also aligns your daily actions with God’s will, leading to more intentional and impactful life choices.

Navigating Life’s Challenges with Faith

Life is full of challenges, and decision-making is often at the heart of these struggles. Whether it’s moving out of your parents’ house, making financial decisions, or dealing with personal disappointments, each challenge is an opportunity for growth and resilience.

One significant takeaway is the importance of making decisions within a supportive community or council. Consulting friends, family, and diverse advisors can provide accountability, differing perspectives, and invaluable support. This Christian resilience creates a robust foundation for facing adversity with strength and faith.

Mental and Emotional Health: The Synergy with Faith

Faith and mental wellness are deeply interconnected. Decisions, especially tough ones, can weigh heavily on our mental and emotional health. Finding Christian anxiety relief and overcoming depression with faith requires embracing the peace that comes from trusting God. It’s about recognizing that no decision is outside of God’s presence and redemption.

Realizing that personal happiness might not always align with biblical teachings doesn’t mean forsaking joy; rather, it’s about seeking God’s guidance and finding joy and comfort in His presence, even amid pain and hardship.

Strengthening Your Faith Journey: Trusting in God’s Plan

Every decision is a step in your faith journey. Trusting in God’s plan means believing in His goodness and protection, even when the path forward is unclear. It’s about leaning into God during hard times and relying on His wisdom to guide you.

Imagine life’s decisions as navigating a bowling alley with unseen bumpers. These bumpers, representing God’s guidance, prevent us from completely derailing and gently steer us back on course. This analogy beautifully illustrates how God’s unseen hand directs us, even when we feel lost or uncertain.

Conclusion: Embracing Faith and Wisdom in Decision-Making

Hard decisions are an inevitable part of life, but by combining faith, intuition, and practical wisdom, we can navigate these choices with confidence and clarity. Through recognizing the emotional cycles in decision-making, trusting our gut feelings, and grounding our decisions in faith, we find a path that honors God and aligns with our truest desires.

As we continue to grow and make decisions, let’s commit to deepening our relationship with God, seeking wisdom and counsel, and embracing the journey with all its unpredictability. Remember, no decision is too big or too small for God’s presence and redemption. Trust in His plan, and let your faith lead you forward.

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