Friday, January 30, 2015

January 31, 2015

"The way of the fool seems right to them, but the wise LISTEN to advice." Proverbs 12:15

When I think back on the biggest regret of my life, I realize I should have seen it coming. Once when I was complaining to God about this regretful thing that had happened to me, essentially trying to pin the blame on Him for not helping me see it coming, He began flooding my memory with the red flags I had ignored and the red lights I had run.

He was right! I had failed to listen to His gentle and persistent promptings.

So, I asked myself why I failed to heed His promptings and I came up with two pretty standard answers:
  • I was too emotionally involved 
  • I was too inexperienced at life and relationships (aka - "simple")
I should have listened to God and I didn't!

A big regret that led to a BIGGER regret.

Also, as I reflected back to that painful experience in my life I recalled several dear friends and a family member who told me at various times in different ways that they had seen my train-wreck coming. But not one of them had spoken to me about their misgivings.

When I asked them why not they each said, "I didn't think you would have listened."

That raised two big questions in my mind:
  • What did I do to give them the impression that I wouldn't receive their concerns?
  • Why didn't they at least try to share their concerns?
I'm not sure I have satisfactory answers to either question but here's my take away from those experiences:
  • I will actively seek good counsel when I am facing important decisions
  • I will take the risk of sharing my concerns with others I love when they are in the midst of a life-changing decision.
Will you be wise enough to LISTEN to God?

Will you be wise enough to LISTEN to the people God put into your life?

Will you be wise enough to NOT LISTEN to your emotions? "Follow your heart" is probably the worst piece of advice ever given.




January 30, 2015

Listen to advice and accept discipline, and at the end you will be counted among the wise.” Proverbs 19:20

Blind spots. We all have them, but why? What causes them? 

Let me suggest several common causes of blind spots.

Emotionally charged moments are not ideal for decision-making. Unfortunately, most decisions are made in emotionally charged moments. Since you aren't thinking your best while you are caught up in emotions, what may normally be obvious becomes a blind spot.

When I was selling cars, I wanted to get my customers as emotionally involved with the car as I could. The worst thing that could happen for me as a salesman was when a customer held onto his objectivity throughout the process. 

Why?

Because I wanted them to be "blind" to the price I was asking for the vehicle they wanted.

No wonder hindsight is always 20/20, the emotions have passed by the time you look back on your decision.

Knowing that you don't make good decisions when you are in an emotionally-charged moment, the wise thing to do is have friends in your life who can see what is in your "blind spot".

Another cause for blind spots is pride.

When you think you know it all already, you won't be open to listening to someone who sees the blind spot.

That explains why you can always see what other people should do even when you are unsure what you should do.

It was pride that eventually brought down, Solomon, the wisest man who ever lived (not named Jesus).

Because you tend to be emotional at the point of big decisions you are prone to have blind spots in your decision-making.

And, if you lack the humility to seek good advice from wise people, you will be likely to miss something that would have been obvious to them.

Wise decision-makers avoid "blind spots" by "listening to advice and accepting discipline".

Are you listening?