The Girl Next Door ☎︎: A Book Look: The Best Yes

{My Library}

I am a perfectionist. I like every thing just so. I am slightly OCD and if I get a notion in my head that something has to work out a certain way, it better work out that way exactly...down to every detail. Because of my weird ways, decision making can be a pretty stressful process. From selecting a Starbucks drink to choosing a college, my greatest fear is that I will regret the choice I make.

I often wonder how much God really cares about the decisions we make? I mean, as long as we aren't choosing between sin over His commands that is. But what happens if I am trying to choose between good and best?

I believe God does care about your every decision. He cares because every choice you make, good or bad, has consequences. And those consequences often times affect your relationship with Him.

The Best Yes was right up my ally and answered my toughest questions. This book is the perfect blend of practical and spiritual advice.

Here are 10 tips for decision making that I learned from reading Lysa Terkeurst's The Best Yes:

1. Read the Bible to discover knowledge. Live out the Bible to find insight. Seek godly counsel to gain discernment (especially when you are going through a trial such as heart break or depression in which your heart or mind is not in a good place to make a good decision).

2. Put yourself in an environment (people, places, things) that attracts wisdom. You have to seek wisdom if you want to find it.

3. Take into account how saying "yes" or "no" to something will affect you spiritually, physically, mentally, emotionally, and financially. Saying "no" is ok if saying "yes" would prohibit a loving attitude.

4. Mentally chase down where your decision will take you. Your decision for today affects your tomorrow.

5. Trust God with every decision by syncing your desires with His. Never make a decision in order to please people. Desire to please God in every decision and trust Him with the outcome. There is no such thing as a perfect decision. God will use the bad.

{"When I stare at failure, I'll fear it. I'll convince myself it's the worst thing that could happen. And I'll stay stuck. But when I stare at all the possible ways God can use this whether I succeed or fail, I'll face my decision. I'll convince myself that it's better to step out and find out than to stay stuck. And I'll reach for that next bar." Lysa Terkeurst}

6. Release the things that are holding you back from receiving the best for this season of your life.

7. Rid your mind of the internal, selfish expectations you assume you will gain by saying "yes".

8. Pay attention to the everyday, little things God wants you to say "yes" to.

9. Never delay a decision. It only makes saying "no" worse for the receiver.

10. Always step out. Never do nothing. You may make a mostly right choice, you may make a mostly wrong choice, but either one is better than no choice at all.

{"Friend, you are strong. you are persevering, tough, able to bend without breaking, willing to be humbled to the point of humiliation, not blinded, a hunter for wisdom, a praying-through-it woman, a courageous gal, one who wants to learn the deep dependence of following hard after God Himself." Lysa Terkeurst}

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