The Power of the Pause

Reading

“But anyone who needs wisdom should ask God, whose very nature is to give to everyone without a second thought, without keeping score. Wisdom will certainly be given to those who ask.”
James 1:5

Reflection

Did you know you make around 35,000 decisions each day? Some decisions are small, like getting out of bed or hitting snooze, eating eggs and toast for breakfast or just coffee. Other decisions are bigger, like who you spend your time with, how do you respond when you’re angry, or whether or not to go along with what everyone else is doing.

When we’re under pressure, we don’t always make the best decisions. When we feel like we have to answer someone immediately, we tend to make choices from a place of fear or out of our emotions, or even based on what we think other people want from us.

Pastor Mark reminded us on Sunday, that when we are feeling pressured to make a quick decision, the best thing we can do it pause. Andy Stanley writes, “When we pause, we stand a better chance of making a good decision.” Pausing allows us time to think, reflect, pray, and rest before making rash decisions. It gives us the space to ask ourselves, “Why am I making this choice…really?”

Sometimes, the best thing we can do when making decisions is pausing to pray. James 1:5 tells us that we can ask God for wisdom, and God will give it to us. When trying to make better decisions that lead to fewer regrets, pausing to ask God for guidance is the most important thing we can do.

So, if you find yourself under pressure to make a big decision this week, pause. Remember, you don’t have to have an immediate answer. Take a breath. Pray. Think, why am I leaning toward this decision… really? Sometimes the pause is where wisdom begins.

Prayer