Proverbs for making decisions
Proverbs gives a pattern for hard decisions: trust God more than your own read of things, gather wise counsel, listen fully before answering and think it through. Make your plans, and hold them open to God’s direction (Proverbs 16:9).
5Trust in Yahweh with all your heart, and don’t lean on your own understanding. 6In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.
Start with trust. Bring God into the decision before you have decided.
Where there is no counsel, plans fail; but in a multitude of counselors they are established.
Plans fail without counsel and stand with it. Ask more than one wise person.
Where there is no wise guidance, the nation falls, but in the multitude of counselors there is victory.
The same truth at a larger scale: many counselors bring victory.
He who answers before he hears, that is folly and shame to him.
Hear the whole thing before you answer. Rushing is folly.
A simple man believes everything, but the prudent man carefully considers his ways.
Don’t believe everything you hear. Think about your steps.
A man’s heart plans his course, but Yahweh directs his steps.
Plan carefully, and expect God to direct your steps.
There are many plans in a man’s heart, but Yahweh’s counsel will prevail.
We may have many plans, and God’s purpose is the one that stands.
Try this week
For the decision on your mind, write the options down, ask two wise people for counsel and pray Proverbs 3:5-6 before choosing.
With your kids
The same wisdom, for children 4 to 10: Day 3: Trust God with all your heart; Day 9: Wise people keep learning.