“Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.” (Col. 3:15 NIV)

Peace in decision-making

Over the years, Susan and I have faced numerous significant decisions, including the purchase of a specific home, the decision to homeschool our children, and the acceptance of certain job opportunities. Sometimes decisions were easy to make when everything was perfectly clear. But other times they were not, and we occasionally got it wrong. In retrospect, and of course hindsight is 20/20, we realized that we had not “let the peace of Christ rule” before making the decision. If we had, we probably would have made different decisions. However, it's crucial to avoid letting fear interfere and refrain from proceeding with a crucial decision just because you're afraid. In reality, most big decisions are scary, yet God can still provide deep inner peace in the midst of it. Knowing the difference and not allowing yourself to be unjustifiably troubled or afraid is crucial. If you lack wisdom, ask God for it! (James 1:5)

“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.” (John 14:27 ESV)

If you make having the peace of God the gage you use for making big decisions, things will generally turn out better for you.

To have God’s peace in decision making… 

·      Pray about the decision and don’t be anxious - Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (Phil. 4:6-7 ESV) 

·      Keep your mind stayed on Jesus when making the decision - “You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you.” (Isa. 26:3 ESV)

·      Ask God for peace when you need to make a decision - “Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times in every way.” (2 Thess. 3:16 ESV)

·      Strive for peace while making a decision - “Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord.” (Heb. 12:14 ESV) 

·      If the decision contains any element of evil, don’t - “Let him turn away from evil and do good; let him seek peace and pursue it.” (1 Peter 3:11 ES)

·      If your decision is against God’s Word, don’t - Great peace have those who love your law; nothing can make them stumble.” (Psalm 118:165 ESV)

Therefore

“For God is not a God of confusion but of peace.” (1 Cor. 14:33 ESV) 

“I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33 ESV)

“And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.” (James 3:18 ESV)

Quote

“Never be in a hurry; do everything quietly and in a calm spirit. Do not lose your inner peace for anything whatsoever, even if your whole world seems upset.” - Saint Francis de Sales

“Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled.” (John 14:27 KJV)

A wonderful tool!

God gives you peace and it is a wonderful tool to help you in your decision making. It has saved me many times from making wrong decisions. 

Check your heart for peace!

When I have to make a big decision, I check my heart to make sure I have God’s peace about it. Sometimes, everything looks perfectly fine on the surface; I can’t see anything wrong, yet I don’t have peace about the decision. When this happens, I stop and wait. Often, the answer becomes clear later and I am then very glad that I didn’t move forward without peace.

Let the peace of God rule!

“Let the peace of God rule in your hearts.” (Col. 3:15 KJV) This is good counsel to follow! 

It could even save your life!

I have a friend who was scheduled to fly to Africa for a speaking engagement. He was very excited about going and everything was arranged and looked good. But, just before he was to leave, he felt a sudden heaviness in his heart about going and no peace about it. So, even though he had already purchased his ticket, he decided not to go.

Soon after, he was very glad he had decided to “let the peace of God rule in his heart,” and not go on the trip to Africa, because the airplane he was scheduled to be on crashed and all passengers perished!