Decision Fatigue’s Remedy

I heard a phrase recently on a podcast and it clicked with me. The phrase was decision fatigue. It resonated with me because recently I have felt the difficulty of decisions before me. Big and little things needed to be decided all day long…

• What can I make for lunch?
• What should I include in my fall capsule wardrobe that will get me through the next ten weeks of travel?
• Should I run to KY for a quick visit?
• What topics does the Lord want me to speak on in upcoming marriage conferences? (Probably the most difficult decision!)

On and on the questions loomed before me.

Watching the video footage of the recent flooding and tidal waves in Nepal, China was horrific. It broke my heart to hear of the many who lost their lives and their homes in an instant, so I’m not making light of it in my reference here. As I have tried to settle in on my many decisions, the picture of those HUGE waves coming behind the terrified citizens, came to my mind. I have often felt like I was getting ready to be swallowed up by all the questions I needed to answer. Have you ever felt that pressure?

As I read my morning Bible reading one morning, I came to Proverbs 3:5-6; favorite verses! I had a note that Adrian Rogers shared as he preached on this passage. He said,

God will bulldoze a way for me to know His will!

What a comfort! I can trust my God for each decision.

It was shortly after reading those verses that I prayed about some things I needed to decide on. Then I listened to Elisabeth Elliot’s podcast and heard her quote the anonymous poem from which she got the saying,

Do the next thing.

 Many a questioning, many a fear,
Many a doubt will be quieted here.
Moment by moment, let down from Heaven,
Time, opportunity, and guidance are given.
Fear not tomorrows, child of the King.
Trust them with Jesus. DO THE NEXT THING.

3. Do it immediately. Do it with prayer.
Do it reliantly, casting all care.
Do it with reverence, tracing Christ’s hand.
He placed it before you with earnest command.
Rest on His omnipotence, safe beneath His wing.
Leave all resultings. DO THE NEXT THING.

4. Looking to Jesus, ever serener.
Working or suffering, let this be your demeanor.
In His dear presence, the rest of His calm.
Let the light of Christ’s countenance be your psalm.
Strong in His faithfulness, praise and sing!
Then, as He commands you, DO THE NEXT THING.

God was answering my prayer with this wisdom! We waste time sitting and staring out into space while trying to make a decision. Instead, we need to just move to the next thing. As we do that, God will show us what should follow.

If you’re stuck in decision fatigue today, the best way to awaken yourself is to follow the poet’s wise counsel .Pretty soon you can look behind you and you won’t see the floods of decision crashing in on you. Instead, you will see accomplishment and have only happy sighs of quiet obedience.