Making important decisions can sometimes be extremely difficult.  I am speaking from the perspective of a single, 23 year-old, recent college graduate. I still don’t know what in the world I am doing when it comes to making those important decisions. It takes time to learn and grow from mistakes and experiences you have. This Sunday I was really glad to be able to go to worship and get my mind off of a lot of things I had been stressing and worrying about. In our Sunday school class we are studying from John 3. John dealt with a difficult situation in this chapter from a dispute with the Jews in verses 25-36, but I would like to focus on one specific verse. In John 3:30 you read the words “He must increase, but I must decrease.” You know when you have those moments when a lightbulb in your brain goes off? Yeah… this was one of those moments.

Now, do I know that God Almighty is there for me? Of course I do. I know what the prophet Jeremiah says by inspiration in Jeremiah 29:11, “For I know the thoughts I think towards you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace not of evil, to give you a future and a hope (NKJV).” Sometimes we need those reality checks over and over again, don’t we? Sometimes, we can’t be too focused on ourselves, concerned with our jobs, or worry about this, or stress about that. There are more important things to worry about. Remember what was said in John 3:30? He must increase and I must decrease. What God requires of us should always go before what we personally want or need. We have just entered a new year, but every day is a new day to better ourselves. Whatever you are worried or stressed about it, let it go. Focus on God and working for Him and helping others. You are going to make some bad decisions but you also have to learn from them. Here are a few tips I thought of to help you if you are worried about some upcoming decision making.

1.) Have I prayed about it as much as I have talked about it?

We can all be guilty of this one. Sometimes excitement gets the better of us and we forget to pray about what is best for us in the eyes of the Lord. James 5:16 says the effectual and fervent prayers of a RIGHTEOUS man avails much. James 4:2 says we do not have because we do not ask. You can learn a lot of valuable lessons from the book of James!

2.) Will it take away from my service to the Lord?

Jesus tells us in Matthew 22:37 that he expects us to love the Lord with all our heart and soul. That is the first and greatest command. The second command is that we love our neighbor as ourselves (verse 38). If whatever you are making a decision about is going to hinder you from serving the Lord, it is not worth it.

3.) Talk to your family about it

I was raised in a single parent household so my mom is really my go to for advice, but I will also reach out to other family and brethren in the church. Many of them have been in your shoes before. Don’t be afraid to ask for their advice.

4.) Remember- “He must increase, but I must decrease.”

Sometimes our thoughts and what we think is best for ourselves is not what is best for us in God’s eyes. Isaiah 55:8 tells us, “For my thoughts are not your thoughts. Nor are your ways my ways says the Lord.” Good luck in 2017 and try to not worry. Let God handle it!

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Gillian Roberts

Gillian is a 23 year old native Tennessean. She attended Tennessee Wesleyan College and graduated in 2015 with a degree in history and minor in English. She works for Tennessee State Parks and is working to become a Park Ranger. Gillian loves being outdoors- hiking, camping, etc. She also loves to play guitar. Loving the Lord, the church, and people's souls is what she strives daily to do.

Latest posts by Gillian Roberts (see all)

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