The Importance of Keeping the Lord In Your Decision Making

Decision making. A pretty stressful time. Something that isn’t always clear and hard to
understand. It can drive wedges in relationships or strengthen them. There is so much to decide
in life. So many things that are thrown in our path that we have to figure out and make
decisions on. It's tough business for sure. I think there is definitely a right way to make decisions
and a whole lot of wrong way to make decisions. As parents and spouses we want to try our
best to make the best decisions for our family. So that everyone involved can have the best
opportunities and try and get everyone on the same wavelength. It's important to be on the same
page as spouses when making decisions that affect everybody in the family. It’s difficult
because we hardly ever are. There are a couple different decision making models we use
without realizing it. There is the alternate model, the dependent model, and the divide and
conquer model. All these models that can lead to problems without being careful. Then there is
the lords decision making model. The one that can be everything we need in a decision making
model. The one that can lead us in the right direction without fail. One that we should try to
incorporate in our lives no matter what.

First off, The Alternate model. This model describes couples that switch off the opportunity to
make decisions. You can definitely see the problems of this model right off the bat. Not all
decisions were created equal. What happens when you make the decision of where to go out for
dinner and the next decision is about moving states for a better job?  There are so many
different levels of decisions in our lives and if we approach them by alternating it can create a
very inconclusive environment. Our children will become confused about the weird inconsistencies
and they won’t know which parent to turn to when coming to them with questions. Another thing
is that blame can situate itself so nicely in this model. If something goes wrong it's whoever
decided that decisions fault. They should own up to the responsibility. In some ways this model
could work. If you are adding in other elements of other decision making models alongside it.
Alone it has many flaws. If you are thinking about using this model or are currently using it…
maybe reconsider.

Secondly, the Dependent model. This model is used to describe the relationship when one
person in the couple just lets the other make all the decisions. They are dependent of the other
and don’t want to take actual initiative. This model can definitely develop some issues if you let
it. For one reason what if both parties are dependent in nature? If you both keep deferring
nothing will get done or accomplished. If there is only one dependent then the one who always
makes decisions will eventually get burned out, stressed out, and burdened. This will ultimately
create tensions. It is unfair to both parties and is just a kind of sad dynamic to be in. 

Thirdly, The Divide and Conquer model. This model is one that has the parties split up based
on their specialties. One party does finances and they other one does housework or something
of the like. This can bring problems by creating a big wedge in between couples. This is making
people just stick to what they are good at. No growth happens. They just blindly trust the other
that they will know what should go on. No one can know what you want unless you tell them.
Not telling will create problems. 

The last model is what I like to call the Lord's model but can also be called the Council model.
This model is used by general authorities when discussing church matters. It is used by high
priest councils and marriages a like. This model can create some of the best results. It takes a
lot of faith and understanding. It can be hard to see where some decisions will lead but
ultimately it will take you where you need to go. Its starts off with showing your love and
appreciation with your partner and vice versa. Moves to prayer to open the council. Then comes
Discuss to Consensus RE: the Lord's will. This part has more prayer sprinkled in between it.
Trying to make sure that they are on the right track with what Heavenly Father has in mind.
After discussion you close with a prayer and get refreshments after. It's a great method that
involves the lord and your spouse all throughout it. This is a great way to receive revelation for
you family. To get information about what Heavenly Father wants of you. 

The lord wants what is best for you. It's best if we let him in when deciding the things in life that
really matter. He will guide us to where we need to go and he will be proud of our progress.
Involve him in your decisions and your decisions will lead to great blessings and joy.