“For lack of guidance a nation fall, but victory is won through many advisers… Plans are established by seeking advice, so if you wage, obtain guidance… Surely you need guidance to wage war, and victory is won through many advisors.” – Proverbs 11:14, 20:18, and 24:6
Steve Robinson, former Chief Marketing Office of Chick-fil-A and author of the classic book Covert Cows and Chick-fil-A: How Faith, Cows, and Chicken Built an Iconic Brand, is one of the wisest men I have ever met. He once told me he has read a Proverb every day for the last several decades.
Upon watching the impact this reading plan has had in his life, I sought out a resource to better help me navigate through the Bible’s “Book of Wisdom” myself. I wanted to be as wise as Steve.
My search led me to Tim and Kathy Keller’s book God’s Wisdom for Navigating Life: A Year of Daily Devotions in the Book of Proverbs. I cannot recommend this resource enough. The Keller’s have provided a full year’s worth of short daily devotionals from Proverbs on how to effectively live a productive and Godly life. Click HERE or on the image provided to get this book! Trust me. You will read it every single day!
On August 17th, the passage above was referenced with a short lesson on after getting all the advice you are seeking, how do you effectively choose what steps to take next? In other words, how do you form a decision grid when receiving both good and bad advice?
The Kellers outline 6 Steps To Help Leaders Make Good Decisions With All That Free And Paid Advice They’ve Received:
- Review any relevant biblical texts. This should be the final word.
- Review the opinions of authorities (family, church, and state). God speaks and works through authority.
- Your conscience. See James 4:17. For the Christian, this is the Holy Spirit.
- Examine your motives. Is your decision self-serving or for the benefit of others?
- The best use of your gifts and abilities. Has God equipped you to move in the direction of your decision?
- Assess your decision’s impact on others. Will your decision bless the lives of those in your sphere of influence or cause a less-than-optimum experience for them?
If you are facing a big decision this week, run it through these six questions. The solution will likely become obvious.
My book Timeless: 10 Enduring Practices Of Apex Leaders is available for purchase. If you have ever wanted to become the leader God created you to be, this book is for you! By combining leadership lessons from biblical heroes like Jesus, Daniel and Joseph, along with modern day leaders like Bill Gates, Nick Saban, Kobe Bryant and multiple pastors, Timeless will equip and inspire you. This book is not to be read alone. Discussion questions are included in each chapter allowing you to develop those in your circle of influence. Click HERE or on the image provided and order your copies TODAY.