"Demystifying Decision-Making" (Aimee Joseph)

TITLE: Demystifying Decision-Making: A Practical Guide (The Gospel Coalition)
AUTHOR: Aimee Joseph
PUBLISHER: Wheaton, IL: Crossway, 2022, (176 pages).
 

We all make tonnes of decisions daily. From wondering what time to wake up to which hour to go to bed, living essentially means making multiple decisions all the time. Some decisions happen like clockwork according to times set by our schools, our employing organizations, our clients, and our schedules. Others are everyday no-brainers like quenching our thirst or going to the restroom. Interestingly, the author observes that there is some correlation between our freedom of choice and the anxieties of decision-making. Perhaps, that is why adults (with more freedom) are often more stressed compared to children (under parental direction). Even among children, those living in developing countries with few choices are often happier than children in developed countries offering many choices. For instance, if a child in a poor country has only one school in the neighborhood, he has just two choices: To go or not to go to that school! In contrast, a child in an urban Western district would have to choose from among the different school offerings, each catering to different needs, different backgrounds, and various areas of specialization. Rather than allowing the different criteria of the world to give us jitters, author Aimee Joseph urges us to use this book as a "little pointer" to see our decision-making from God's perspective. This is done through a few stages. First, she acknowledges our present environment that makes decision-making a difficult and sometimes mysterious process. Throughout history, people have been making decisions based on some popular cultural orientations. In ancient times, people use divination. The Enlightenment shifts people toward using "reason alone" to decide. In the contemporary world, more people are depending on their hearts to decide. Even the question, "Why am I Here?" depends on the worldview we adopt. Joseph also shows us that we should not undervalue the process in arriving at any decision. Such processes come with various benefits too. After sorting through some initial contexts surrounding decision-making, Joseph gives us some theological foundations to learn about discerning God's will. From the Old Testament, we learn about ceremonial laws, civil laws, and moral laws. from the New Testament, we learn about how these laws are transformed and fulfilled in the Person of Jesus Christ. The main part of the book deals with the various gauges to help us "demystify" the decision-making process. The "cultural gauge" reminds us of how our identity could shape the way we see things. The "idolatry gauge" warns us about the dangers of making choices according to what idols we have in our hearts. The "urgency gauge" is about priorities. The "gospel gauge" is about decisions that glorify Christ. This last gauge is the essence of this book. How then do we start and maintain such a gauge? This is how the author shows us the "demystifying" process. This process comprises both a practical component as well as a paradigm change. 

Practically, it begins with expectation. Each decision point would need some clarity via understanding the context as well as the biblical principles as our framework. Such a framework would need our personal components such as our passions, our personal circumstances, and our priorities. For major decisions, praying and fasting could become most essential. With regard to perspectival changes, Joseph shows us three different ways to think about decision-making: Normative, Situational, and Existential. Other factors include the timing, and a situational analysis using tools like SWOT and a will to do the will of God in spite of our emotional hesitancy. 

My Thoughts

I learn about the relationship between our modern anxieties and the freedom associated with the ability to make choices. With freedom comes responsibility, and with responsibility comes difficult decision-making. This is one of the most common stress points in our daily lives. Sometimes, even the simplest of decision-making could render us into a stage of analysis-until-paralysis. While we can do our best to determine the best steps forward, it is also essential to practice faith as we decide on our best course of action. Indeed, like what the author has said, making decisions can become a drama in itself. I like particularly the reminder about the different gauges that we make. A lot of us tend to become attached to the things we idolize. Sometimes, we desire something so much that everything becomes attached to that desire. The spiritual masters of old are well aware of such human tendencies which is why they constantly focus on detachment and learning to keep idols at bay. The Scriptures also teach us to keep away from idols as well as to flee from temptation. The question is: What if we are not able to run away? What if it is our responsibility to make those choices? Then, this book comes into play. Learning to make decisions according to God's will is something a lot of people know generally but lack guidance specifically. Joseph shows us some practical ways and paradigms for us to consider.

Some of the methods are not directly taken from the Bible, for example, the SWOT analysis. There is no harm in trying to use modern management techniques to guide us in our decision-making. As long as we are letting the Bible be our primary guide and everything else as secondary, that should be fine. One main benefit of decision-making is how we get to understand ourselves better. As some people would say, we are what we decide to be. Life is a series of decision-making. We are what we are today because of the decisions we made in the past. Sounds scary? It should, but it should not make us paranoid to the point of refusing to make any decisions at all! Sometimes, not making a decision is already a decision made. Having said that, faith is about making the best decisions that we could and trusting the results to God. There is no guarantee in life, but the fact that we have tried is already an achievement in itself. 

Let this book be a guide for us in our daily and crucial decision-making.

Aimee Joseph has spent many years directing women’s discipleship and ministry at Redeemer Presbyterian Church and in Campus Outreach San Diego. She and her husband are currently in the process of planting Center City Church in their neighborhood. She writes on aimeejoseph.blog.

Rating: 4.25 stars of 5.

conrade

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This book has been provided courtesy of Crossway Publishers and NetGalley without requiring a positive review. All opinions offered above are mine unless otherwise stated or implied.