I started this series by noting that I know a lot of great, sweet people who consistently make bad choices in some area of their lives. (No judgment here, I’ve been that person.) For some, it’s money decisions. For others it’s about their choices in relationships. And for some it’s another specific area of their lives, such as job choices or career paths. And for a miserable few, God help them, it’s across the board. It seems like nearly every significant decision goes spectacularly wrong.
In the first post we explored how faulty values often lead to bad decisions. This is because for most of us, we choose very consistently based on our values–that is, what we believe to be “valuable.”
For example, if, in your heart of hearts, you place a high value on being viewed as successful, or on being envied, then you will—very consistently—make choices driven by that value. If you truly value short term pleasure or comfort more highly that long-term progress toward a goal, you’ll choose the short-term payoff. Every. Single. Time. And if you value safety highly, then you’ll choose the safest path, which often is not the best path if you hope to do great things.
Here’s the thing, exposing your authentic values . . . identifying what has really, truly been driving your decisions . . . requires a willingness to be both introspective and brutally honest with yourself. For some of us, introspection comes easy. Too easy. We have to struggle to get out of our own heads. But for others, looking inward doesn’t come naturally at all.
Nevertheless, as I pointed out in that post, it’s possible to start making better decisions by simply choosing to adjust your values. Start valuing different things and different decisions will follow.
The second installment of this series of posts pointed to the other key factor driving cruddy decisions. Fear. As I said in that post, having fear driving your decisions is “fundamentally like having an evil idiot for an advisor.”
It’s possible to immediately start making better decisions by simply adjusting one’s values and recognizing the areas in which fear is in the driver’s seat. But, as I said in the closing words of the previous post, there is “a more excellent way.”
This is that better way.
Adjusting your values and setting aside your fears is a sure-fire way to start making better decisions. But that is far easier said than done. But here’s good news. For the Christian, there is another way . . . a better way . . . of fixing a broken chooser. It’s a step that not only causes you to consistently make better choices, it produces a life filled with peace, purpose, and power.
Jesus had this way in mind when He told his disciples that He was sending the Holy Spirit. He actually positioned His departure and the Spirit’s arrival as an upgrade!
Nevertheless, I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you. (John 16:7 ESV)
Imagine having Jesus with you every day and having Him tell you, “Oh, I have to go away but don’t worry, it’s a good thing. I’m sending you a Helper and it’s a better deal.” What would be this Helper’s job description? Well, the list is long but it includes the following . . .
All of this is and much more is the job description of God-the Holy Spirit. So, let me ask you a question. Do you think He is good at His job? You know, being God and all?
Of course He is! But this presents another question: Why are most of us not enjoying all of those benefits? I’m convinced it’s simply because we don’t welcome and cooperate with Him.
Okay, one more question . . . and this is the biggy:
Would the quality of your decisions improve if you had an advisor (Helper) who wanted to “lead you into all truth”; “show you what the future holds”; “help you pray ideal prayers”; and “reveal heavenly wisdom to you?”
I suspect the answer is, “Uhhhh . . . yeah!”
This is the ultimate fix for a broken chooser. Simply learning to hear the voice and feel the prompts of the Spirit will make you look to others like a wise genius.
Perhaps this is why Paul said:
‘For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God.
(Romans 8:14)
Or put another way, a characterizing mark of the sons and daughters of God is being led by the Spirit. This is the ultimate and most effective way to “fix a broken chooser.”
