Empower Your Girl to Make Wise Decisions with these Four Tips

My friends at American Heritage Girls (AHG) asked me to share a devotion empowering girls to make wise decisions. This devotion is part of the AHG Free to Grow Patch Program. The Great Flip is a national program alliance for AHG. I’m honored to share these tips. To learn more about AHG, click here.

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.” Proverbs 3:5-6

Tip #1 Use the 10 Commandments to guide your decision-making.

The 10 Commandments are clear about certain decisions. For example; Do not steal, Do not lie, Do not murder, Do not covet, etc. You should definitely review these 10 words from the Lord. These 10 commandments serve as a curb (keep you safe), a mirror (see your sin and see your need for a savior), and a sign (point you in the right way of living). The commandments are more than a list of things NOT to do. They can also serve as guides on the good you can do to love your neighbor.

Because of the 10 Commandments, I know not to steal other people’s stuff but instead, I help and serve people to improve and protect their possessions. And this decision goes beyond just stealing things, it addresses the way we use our time and talents. We give our time to work hard (not be lazy or steal away our time or effort). We acquire our goods in an honest way and do not take advantage of others.

Tip #2 Read the Proverbs

When scripture does not clearly address a particular decision you face, read the book of Proverbs. Proverbs describe wisdom as the beginning of knowledge. According to Proverbs, having wisdom keeps you out of trouble. Wisdom keeps you from looking like a fool and allows you to make wise decisions. Wisdom is more than good judgment – wisdom is Jesus Christ Himself. Wisdom spoke creation into existence. Wisdom created you. When you have decisions to make, you have direct access to Wisdom – that is Jesus your Savior. Read Provers and picture Jesu as your Wisdom.

Tip #3 Surround yourself with godly mentors

Wise people can help you talk out your problems and verbalize your feelings. They can help you find Bible verses that address your situation and guide you to wise decisions. Find wise friends, family and leaders who love the Lord.

Tip #4 Pray

Take your decision-making to the Lord in prayer.

If you cannot come up with your own words, pray God’s word. Pray the Psalms and Proverbs and the Lord’s Prayer. These three resources contain all of God’s promises for you.

The Great Flip about decision-making:

And here’s a “great flip” for you to remember. I bet you are putting a lot of pressure on yourself to make the right decision and feel the anxiety of “what if” I make the wrong decision. In Colossians chapter two, Paul says the answer to God’s mystery is knowing Jesus as your Savior. Everything flows from this truth. No amount of correct or incorrect decisions will save you. Christ alone saves. What a relief!

Jesus made the wisest decision of all when He decided to love you.

When you follow these four tips, you can trust God in your decisions. Even if you mess up, God redeems all things. He redeemed you. He made a wise decision when he made you. He promises to be your decision-maker. He decided to wonderfully make you in your mother’s womb. He decided to send Jesus because he loves you. He decided to forgive you all of your sins when he died on the cross for you. He decided to give you his perfect righteousness when he rose from the dead and defeated sin, death and the devil. He decided to give you the gift of a sound mind (through Christ), talents, skills, passion, and purpose to love and serve others.