Steps to Take Before a Major Decision



Are you facing a tough decision about what to do with your career or whether or not to change jobs? Fortunately the wealthiest businessman who ever lived also wrote two books of the Bible, Proverbs and Ecclesiastes, and spread His wisdom about wealth and work.

There are three first steps we can learn from Solomon’s wisdom in Proverbs that apply to any kind of major decision you need to make. How do you get started?
  1. First, check the Bible. Before you get anybody else’s perspective on what you’re going to do, you need to go to the Word, and you need to get God’s perspective. The Bible says in Proverbs 2:6-7, “It is the LORD who gives wisdom; from Him come knowledge and understanding. He provides help and protection for those who are righteous and honest” (TEV). Stop listening for a voice, and start looking for a verse.
  2. Next, get the facts. Proverbs 18:13 says, “What a shame — yes, how stupid! — to decide before knowing the facts!” (TLB) Before I started Saddleback Church, I spent six months getting the facts. I read everything in print on church growth before I even moved to Orange County. Then I studied demographics and census statistics, and I discovered that between 1970 and 1980, Orange County was the fastest growing county in America, and the Saddleback Valley was the fastest growing area in Orange County. I thought, “They’re probably going to need some new churches!” I chose a place to minister where I knew there was going to be a need, and I discovered that need and how to address it through research.
  3. Then, ask for advice. You need to talk to people who’ve made a similar decision and also people who know your shape. Ask them, “Am I really shaped to do this or not? Is this me or is it not me?” Proverbs 15:22 says, “Without advice plans go wrong, but with many advisers they succeed” (GW).
One of the reasons we don’t want to ask for advice is we don’t want to admit that we don’t know all the answers. But humility and wisdom go together. When you are prideful and think you know it all, you are more likely to fail. To make a wise decision and be successful, you need to first check the Bible, then research the facts, and finally ask advice from people who have experience and know your shape.

Talk It Over
  • Why do you think it’s important to know your shape when making a big decision about your work?
  • Who in your life can you go to for advice about your job? Why do you trust that person?
  • How can you apply these steps to other areas of your life?

~ Written by: Rick Warren ~
~ Modified by: Oleg Fabyanchuk ~

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