Now What? Making Decisions in a Time of Upheaval
By Jessica Dahl, Resonate Ellensburg
This has been a time of massive medical, cultural, and domestic upheaval.
All of us have been faced with a barrage of decisions in a climate of changing information. The brain thrives on shortcuts, yet this last year forced us into active, anxious decision-making hour by hour. Many of our plans were put on pause, waiting for things to normalize. Forbes put out an article examining the decision fatigue facing many of us the past year, saying,
“We make thousands of decisions every day. Under pandemic conditions, many of these mundane decisions have suddenly become life or death choices. No wonder anxiety is rippling through society. Should we: get needed medical care; go to the park, see friends and family; go shopping; order-in; eat out; or send our kids back to school? Decisions must be made.“
Many of us could barely look past the news of each day, let alone make a wise decision about future plans. While our faith doesn't promise a lack of suffering, uncertainty, or upheaval, it does promise an anchor of hope for support, steadiness, and optimism in hard times.
In Christ, we are given timeless truths to help us know how to make peace-filled decisions even in times of upheaval. How do we know how to make a wise decision? Here are some ways I have been processing over the last year, as my family is in the middle of making a move to Seattle. Here is how I’ve been trying to discern wisdom from fear.
1. Fear Causes Indecision, Peace Leads To Clarity
Have you ever almost missed out on a huge opportunity due to fear? I have.
When we announced that Resonate church would be starting a site in Ellensburg, I was still on the fence. And I was supposed to be one of the fearless leaders. I wanted God to make it clear, to write it in the sky. It felt hard to leave our thriving community in Pullman to do something new. What put me in my place was the immediate ownership of this idea by others. Within weeks, multiple students had already transferred schools and were going, with or without me. I realized that I was about to miss out on a huge adventure. God used this season of indecision to lovingly remind me that his kingdom will go on with or without me.
He invites us into what he’s doing for our own joy and our good. It's not about being poured-out, joyless martyrs for God. On the other side obedience is the joy. This has been so clear to me in our Ellensburg story. I have forged family-like friendships and trajectory-changing experiences. I thank God for these gifts that have come from this decision, finally made even in the midst of fear and uncertainty.
2. Fear Makes You A Hoarder, Peace Makes You Generous
Christians should be the first to be others’ oriented in times of crisis and uncertainty. Maslow’s hierarchy of needs tells us that two of humanity's basic needs are security and safety. When those things are threatened, whether by natural disaster, pandemics, or political tensions, it is easy to focus inward, making sure we have what we need. If we stay there too long we can get caught up in self-centered life.
“For those in Christ, there is no bad news”, our brother Wes Coddington at Resonate Boise has said. Even in the most extreme crisis, those who follow Christ have long been examples of generous Kingdom-living throughout history. In the face of danger, Christians have long made hard choices to follow Christ into suffering. Matthew 10:28 reminds us to not fear those that can kill the body, but the soul.
We live in the story of a generous God, and in the person and work of Christ, we have all we need at a core level. Out of this love and generosity, we can outpour our care and attention to others in a way that looks different from the world around us. Psalm 37 gives a remarkable picture of peace and generosity to meditate on in “these uncertain times”. (I’m sorry, can we retire that phrase forever?)
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“In times of disaster they will not wither;
in days of famine they will enjoy plenty.
The Lord makes firm the steps
of the one who delights in him;
though he may stumble, he will not fall,
for the Lord upholds him with his hand.
I was young and now I am old,
yet I have never seen the righteous forsaken
or their children begging bread.
They are always generous and lend freely;
their children will be a blessing.” (Psalm 37:18-19; 23-26)
3. Fear Screams, Peace Whispers
Don't make fear-based decisions. Sometimes fear masks as wisdom and practicality. God’s spirit, God’s word, and God’s people around you can help discern those roots of fear holding you back from a decision. Remember that our eternal footing is secure, and God will provide. It might not always be comfortable, but we have to put fear aside to make the decision that makes God glorified. This is the same path that ultimately leads to our own personal joy and fulfillment.
Peace is undeniable. It is quiet. God’s voice is neither anxious nor frantic. What he’s asking of you might be the thing you are most scared to do, but once you face your fears causing the avoidance, peace immediately takes over, even if it looks crazy to those around you. As 2 Timothy 1:7 tells us, “God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.”
Some of you are itching to make a decision, a move, anything to get a change of pace. How do we make wise decisions in the wake of a pandemic? Some of you are about to graduate.The workplace you envisioned looks completely different. How do you decide what to do next?
Evaluate Your Convictions
This time has forced many to go inward and reevaluate what really matters. If this time of upheaval has brought a new passion or idea, check your motives.
What was true of you before this last year? Is this a decision of panic, boredom, or anxiety? Evaluate your giftings, your passions, and your values. Is this something you heard before the pandemic? What did you last hear from God? If it's been a while, make space to listen.
In Christ, we are compelled to live for God’s kingdom, in the role of who he made us to be. This should be our ultimate basis for decision-making. Make sure your values are in the right order, with your security in Christ as the foundation.
Evaluate Your Friendships
In a season where our church has not been able to gather in large groups, you might be feeling disconnected from community. The church (the people, not the building) is one of the major ways we hear from God. We have all been more isolated this year, and we might not even realize it. We are meant to speak truth to each other, to point out lies we are believing. We have to fight to be known in this season and not hide behind the pandemic restrictions. Don’t make big decisions alone, even in quarantine. Pick up the phone, go for a walk. Invite people into the process before you inform them of the decision.
Evaluate Your Impact
Jessica Dennis, a soon-to-be graduate of Texas A&M who hopes to be involved with the Resonate Seattle plant, said this about her decision to move to Seattle after spending a summer as an intern there:
“ I couldn’t imagine that God wanted me to uproot my life..I also didn’t understand why God kept clearing the path and making it obvious that Seattle was the choice that I needed to pick. Proverbs 19:21 rang like a bell anytime my anxiety would sprout up again: “Many are the plans in the minds of the man, but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand.”
I also rested in the fact that He loved me FULLY and DEEPLY. That He alone can satisfy every desire if I stay focused on obedience to Him alone. He provided so much fruit last summer [during the internship]. I saw people surrender their lives to Christ for the first time. I saw unbelievers become curious. And I saw believers grow into disciple-makers. All in a matter of 3 months, I was able to see growth and provision in a place that I didn’t expect.”
Jose Amarillos recently made a move to Seattle and had his own story to share about his decision to move in this crazy year:
“I moved out of Pullman, which was home for so many years because the Lord gave me peace about a new chapter. I had the time and capacity, still processing what being a part of the UW plant would look like for me. I was excited to see what was here. Certainty or not, being here has been a ton of affirmation. I have seen God’s hand through it all. Although we have not officially planted, He's allowed me to be a prayer warrior for the CP Team and for the campus.”
These stories show how we can be people of peace, whose decisions create impact- even in the midst of uncertainty. I know it can be overwhelming to make moves before the dust has fully settled.
But I pray our church is led by peace. May we be bold enough to take risks when those around us are holding back in fear. May we be a church of people who make wise decisions that make His name known.
Footnotes and references
(Forbes, July 14, 2020; Whysel, Brett ‘How Could I Be So Stupid?’: Making Decisions In A Pandemic)
