Demystifying Decision-Making: A Practical Guide

by Aimee Joseph

Drawing Closer to God One Decision at a Time

On an average day, people makes countless decisions: Should I get out of bed or hit the snooze button? What should I have for breakfast? Where should we go for this year’s vacation? While some decisions are easy to make, others can leave individuals paralyzed and full of anxiety. As Christians living in an increasingly individualistic society, what’s the best strategy for making decisions that honor God while becoming more like him in the process?

Writing from her own experience and pointing to biblical examples, Aimee Joseph offers a biblical and theological framework for decision-making. She explains God’s design for humans as decision-makers, the biblical model for making choices, common wrong approaches, practical tips, and what to do when you’ve made a poor decision. With the philosophy that “as we shape our decisions, our decisions shape us,” Joseph teaches readers how to worship and draw closer to Christ through their daily decisions.

Genres: Christian, Christian Living, Nonfiction, Christianity, Self Help, Christian Non Fiction, Theology

160 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 18, 2022

Reviews

[Carina Shephard · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 stars // read July 2022

tl;dr: A short but powerful book about making decisions as a Christian. Highly recommend.

There are many adjectives I can use to describe decision-making: paralyzing; confusing; frustrating; stressful. As a college student, not only am I supposed to make a myriad of small decisions today, but also make choices that will impact the rest of my life, such as: what college should I transfer to? Am I choosing the right major? What career can I use my abilities in, where I will be happy, that I can make a decent living in? Should I date this person? I’m praying for “God’s will,” but how will I know what it is when it shows up? Will I miss God’s will for my life? What is my purpose? How will my choices affect others in my life? Will I decide on a career path, only to end up hating it?
Ultimately, I get so stressed out about the future that it steals the joy of today.

Enter this book. I discovered Demystifying Decision Making in a very roundabout, unlikely way, but this book addressed the specific struggles that I’ve been experiencing- and that I suspect many others deal with too.

Aimee Joseph discusses many aspects of decision making: from the more theoretical side (the effect of the Fall on our decisions, and the different meanings of “God’s will”) to practical ways to evaluate choices (the roles that logic and emotion play in our decision making, things to consider when making decisions, and flowcharts). Surprisingly, I found the theoretical parts more helpful to me at the stage I’m in, but others may find the opposite true.

As much as I want decisions to be clear, logical, and obvious, unfortunately, it’s “not a formula like the quadratic equation. Real-life career choices do not balance out neatly like stoichiometry." (40)* As the author writes, “We may imagine life would be easier if God were to write out his will in the clouds or send a full blueprint of his plans for us. But when we wish for a simpler approach to decision-making, we ask for less than God intends for us." (31) Later Joseph states, “No matter how much we wish to the contrary, the Scriptures are unlikely to have a direct verse that clearly makes your decision for you. Instead God would have us, in real freedom, considering real wisdom, make real decisions that have real consequences. We seek God for answers, but God is far more interested in giving us more of himself.”

In conclusion, will this book tell you what to do with your life? No. :( However, it provides a framework for having the right attitude for making decisions. While our culture puts an immense weight on our shoulders, telling us that our lives are defined by the choices we’ve made, “our identity is not the sum of our decisions but the sum of Christ’s perfect decisions.” (134)

“Amidst all the unknowns, we know the one who walks beside us, the one who lives within us, and the one who has gone before us. We may not know the map, but we know the character of our guide.” (90)


*The numbers within parentheses are the page numbers where that quote is found. I highlighted a pretty large portion of this book, but tried to restrain myself with the quotes. :)

[Kara Beer · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Because of the gospel, our identity is not the sum of our decisions but the sum of Christ's perfect decisions. This incredibly freeing reality, rather than pressing us toward carelessness in our decisions, is intended to compel us toward greater faithfulness as image bearers of God.” SO good. My favorite part of the book is the beginning as I have never heard someone explain decision making in such a way that brings me in awe of the beauty of God.

[Darin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have a big decision in my life to make. That’s hard enough to deal with, but I also have something about me that is constantly (re) evaluating past decisions both small and large but especially the large ones. It’s a thing, it’s an issue in my life and I also know rooted in sin in some form. In addition to that one of those bad decisions was a career that I hate every much and causes a lot of other issues. I would give anything to do something different but not at the cost of my family.

Life situations aren’t needed for book reviews, why would they be? But in obsessing over this job related decision I ran across an article about making decisions on The Gospel Coalition (TGC) and a reference to this book. I bought it simply hoping to find some direction from a true believer on how to make this decision. Maybe a “formula” on definitely going to make the right decision here. I even saw some of the reviews talk about it you really want to get to the meat of your decision making process skip to chapter x. I did that. I read it. It was helpful. But that was what I thought to be helpful to my flesh. My desires. My end goal. But. The Lord.

A couple of weeks later I went back and started at the beginning. It was soooo good. I didn’t know if Aimee Joseph before reading this, but this book was amazing to me, to my heart and to so much unrest. She touched me with her words as well as the Bible verses she gave, some a new perspective. There are a few different processes for making decisions and I valued those and wish I had had them when I was younger and will have them going forward, but the Holy Spirit used Aimee and her book to speak so much truth in my life far beyond my current decision.

My life is still a mess. I feel questioning past decisions and thus heightened anxiety on current and future ones will always be a struggle for me, but this is a great companion to the Bible allowing me to fight those battles. I do hope to make better life choices going forward and maybe some of those will help me out of my current situation with my career, but even if that never happens this book will be one to reread and I will consider it a true blessing from the Lord.

I hope you read this. I hope and pray the Lord uses her words to guide your decision(s) and so much more. If I can pray for you (your decision) please let me know. I’d be honored.

Aimee, if you were to ever read this, thank you.

[Meagan | The Chapter House · Rating 5 out of 5]

_Demystifying Decision-Making_ is the book I'd hoped Donald Miller's newest release Hero on a Mission: The Power of Finding Your Role in Life would be (and wasn't).

This book is grounded in Scripture, pointing the reader back to Christ at every turn. It avoids (and in fact notes the fallacies) of using self as one's source of truth, or of searching for truth in things that are not God, or of pursuing New Age theories unfortunately prevalent in many churches today--not least of which is "Follow your heart!" (See Proverbs 28:26 and Jeremiah 17:9.) So that in itself was a huge win for me!

(I'll also note another win might have been a reference to The Mandalorian ... :D)

I loved Joseph's writing style, too. She's down to earth, approachable, and just--normal, in the best way. Decision-making doesn't have to be rocket science, and she did a great job at framing it in laymen's terms yet keeping God in his rightful place at the center. He is the best one to root ourselves to, the only one worthy of that place and who can stand up as the Source of truth.

I received an eARC of the book from the publisher via NetGalley and via the Crossway Blog Review Program. All opinions are my own.

[Allie Matters · Rating 5 out of 5]

Incredible read

[Amanda Stoeckmann · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good book for Christians, especially teens and young adults.


My favorite quotes:

“We tend to spend so much time agonizing over all the potential paths we could take that we often overlook what God cares most about. He cares less which path we choose and far more how and why we choose it.”

"Through fear, self looms so large that we begin to believe that one decision can throw off God's plan. Fear shrinks our infinite God and enlarges self in a way that robs God of glory and ourselves of peace. Fear forgets that the same God who spoke galaxies into existence holds our lives together."

[Stefanie Sugia · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Perhaps you are wondering which path to take, which church to choose or which spouse to marry. No matter what decision you are deliberating, the incredibly good news is that the Scriptures offer guidance for believers making decisions."

I'm glad I decided to pick this book up because it's a great book to start my new year strong. As mentioned in the blurb of this book, people makes countless decisions every single day—some are easy decisions that we don't really have to think much about, yet some are difficult decisions that can paralyze us. In this book, Aimee Joseph gave a biblical and practical guide that will help us in our decision-making process. I love how she covers all the important aspect that we need to consider when making decisions and also provided helpful tips for when we ended up making bad choices that we might regret. The writing-style is easy to understand and the explanation flows well from once chapter to another. I believe this book will be especially helpful for those who are currently facing difficulties in making decisions.

"Man is a responsible moral agent, though he is divinely controlled; man is divinely controlled, though he is also a responsible moral agent. We are free to make decisions, and those decisions matter. At the same time, our God is sovereign over every action and consequence, directing all human history toward his desired ends."

"Decisions paralyze us because we innately know that our choices have consequences... Consequences are not intended to terrorize us bur rather to train us. They teach us to become better decision-makers."

This book is divided into 7 chapters that addresses different topics regarding decision-making. The first half of the book explains the theological foundation for decision making. While the second half of the book, the author approached the decision-making process pragmatically. The author then ended this book by addressing the fear, regret, and doubt that can sometimes emerge on the other side of major decisions. In this review, I will be mentioning some parts of this book that are especially helpful to me—hopefully it can give you an idea of what this book is about. The first one is the importance of balancing the reality of God's sovereignty and man's responsibility. Throughout many years as a Christian, I've come across a lot of people with the idea of God's sovereignty and human's free will. I love how the author decided to tackle this issue first before going into the practical process of decision-making; because if we lean too heavily on one, we will either crush ourselves under the weight of decisions or depict God as a puppeteer. Understanding and accepting these two realities will be a good foundation for our decision-making process.

Aimee Joseph then mentioned some of the practical ways that are commonly used when people make decisions, such as doing research and making a pros and cons list. However, even with a well-thought-out list, we realize that we do not know what is best because we are limited in our understanding. Throughout the second half of this book, the author suggests various ways that will help us set the stage with practical preparation. One of the ideas that I found really helpful is the concept of Triperspectivalism, which is three perspectives to approach the word and the word through the normative, the situational, and the existential. These perspectives encourage us to assess all of the aspects related to the decision that we have to make, because they will help us evaluate our priorities and help our decision-making process. I love how the author gave some examples in how to use this framework so that we will be able to easily apply it to our current circumstances.

"Man is a responsible moral agent, though he is divinely controlled; man is divinely controlled, though he is also a responsible moral agent. We are free to make decisions, and those decisions matter. At the same time, our God is sovereign over every action and consequence, directing all human history toward his desired ends."

"The most important decisions we make in life concern our way of life, habits, convictions, and direction."

The last part of this book regarding the aftermath of decision-making is no less important. After making a difficult decision, we might end up feeling relieved or overwhelmed with regret and fear. I love when the author mentioned that our maturity as a believer is not measured by how often we make wrong decisions but how we respond when we do. She uses the example of Judas and Peter—both are the disciples of Jesus, both made mistakes, but only one repented and restored to Christ. It truly encouraged me that although I ended up making a bad decision, God secures peace for us on the other side of those decisions. And even when we make wise decisions, be aware of pride in self—instead, we should boast in the goodness of God. I think it's a much needed reminder at the end of this book that will keep our focus on God regardless of the outcome of our decisions.

This is one of the books that I might want to reread in the future and refer to when I'm faced with difficult decisions and am overwhelmed by a certain situation. I found myself highlighting so many passages that are thought-provoking, opened my mind, and reassured me of God's providence in our lives. At the end of this book, Aimee Joseph also provided study questions that will encourage readers to ponder and reflect on past decisions and what influenced our decision-making process. As I'm reading this book, I am constantly reminded of God's faithfulness in my past decisions that propels me toward present faithfulness and future hope. If someone comes to me for advice regarding a decision, I will definitely recommend them to read this book 😊.

"Every decision, even those well-thought-out and prayed through, requires faith of some sort."

"When doubts, fears, or regrets threaten to steal our joy, we look to his word. When we have made a poor decision, we repent and return to his arms. When we have made a decision that honors him, we give him the praise, remembering his past faithfulness for future hope.

Read my full review here:
https://www.thebookielooker.com/2022/...

[Michele Morin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brace yourself for a deep dive and a solid gospel orientation to the age-old dilemma of decision-making. In Demystifying Decision-Making, Aimee Joseph anticipates some of the most perplexing aspects of choice and then follows up with fear-fighting truth to counter FOMO, regret, and self-doubt.

Her governing principle is the necessity of good theology to carry into the decision-making process. Drawing on the work of John Frame, Joseph contrasts humanity’s narrow perspective with God’s ability to see all things from every possible perspective. Too, most of us are far too short-sighted in our concern over the will of God. God’s will for you and me is Christlikeness, a goal that far transcends today’s major purchase or this year’s career trajectory.

Four major points captured my attention and will stay with me going forward:

God has invited us to “set all our decisions on the eternal timeline.” What appears in the present moment to be a colossal failure may turn out to have a hugely redemptive impact. The crucifixion is our pattern for taking this long view of our short lives.
Our desires matter, but they are not the only thing that matters. Some of us have been trained by our Christian sub-culture to discount or distrust our desires, imagining that God will purposely send us where we don’t want to go or require of us what we don’t want to do. Of course, on the other end of the see-saw is Team This-Feels-So-Good-It-Must-Be-God’s-Will.”

Both ends of the spectrum get it wrong, for our feelings are not ultimate, nor are they irrelevant to God. Rather, “in prayer and meditation, we bring our desires into the presence of God and invite his searching gaze and shaping hands.”
Wrong decisions are not fatal to our relationship with God. In fact, “we are always only one decision away from our heavenly Father’s arms.” No matter where you are today in your relationship with God, deeper intimacy is a choice which will be strengthened and supported with every successive Spirit-led decision.
Make every decision with an eye on your destination. Created for glory, we will one day fulfill our ultimate purpose. Designed for decision-making, we draw near to our Designer as we trust his leading through every surrendered drop of our poured-out life.

Many thanks to Crossway for providing a copy of this book to facilitate my review, which is, of course, offered freely and with honesty.

[Linda Galella · Rating 4 out of 5]

Author, Aimee Joseph, includes a lot of scripture, both Old & New Testament passages, in this look at “Demystifying Decision-Making”. She shares quite a bit of personal experience along the way, making applications to her life and those close to her. That technique servers to make the book’s content feel more relevant and adaptable.

If you’re looking for a step-by-step guide to good decision making, this isn’t that kind of book. Joseph’s book is more of an organic look at how and why as relating to Christ. He “was, is and always will be” and the consequences of our decision making should be viewed thru that kind of lens; an extremely lofty goal to aspire to that takes a lifetime of walking with Him to progress towards.

IMO, this book would best be used as a study guide for small groups. The format isn’t highly organized, there are study questions by chapter at the end of this short volume, along with 2 diagrams, brief notes by chapter and the index. Other than the index, the other items would have been far more useful were they positioned in their respective chapters.

All things considered, good information that could use a format editing📚

[Hannah Watts · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is SO important and helpful! Joseph unpacks a thorough framework for how the Gospel informs our decision making. The first few chapters detail what the Bible has to say about free will and humanity’s ability to make decisions in light of God’s sovereignty. From there, she breaks down how your cultural background and upbringing might influence your decision-making and then goes into plenty of practical guidance for how to wisely make decisions. I love how she ends by offering wisdom for even after we’ve made important decisions in order to avoid both prideful arrogance and doubt/fear. All in all, I am so grateful for this resource and intend to share it with others.

[RAW · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh so very good in so many ways. Full of wisdom and insight not just practical, but spiritual. So needed anytime in one’s life. Thankful to Mandy for recommending it to Liske who then showed her daddy who had us all reading it together!!

[Rebekah · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am fully convinced that every college student/person in their 20s should read this book. Or just every person in general, but especially those of us currently faced with big life decisions. Gives a great gospel-centered guide to making decisions based on eternity.

[Brooke Zentz · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was practical, digestible, and encouraged me to love the Lord more page by page. I will definitely recommend it to those making big decisions and may even go through some sections and the study questions with students or staff in my ministry.

[Conrade Yap · Rating 4 out of 5]

We all make tonnes of decisions daily. From wondering what time to wake up to which hour to go to bed, living essentially means making multiple decisions all the time. Some decisions happen like clockwork according to times set by our schools, our employing organizations, our clients, and our schedules. Others are everyday no-brainers like quenching our thirst or going to the restroom. Interestingly, the author observes that there is some correlation between our freedom of choice and the anxieties of decision-making. Perhaps, that is why adults (with more freedom) are often more stressed compared to children (under parental direction). Even among children, those living in developing countries with few choices are often happier than children in developed countries offering many choices. For instance, if a child in a poor country has only one school in the neighborhood, he has just two choices: To go or not to go to that school! In contrast, a child in an urban Western district would have to choose from among the different school offerings, each catering to different needs, different backgrounds, and various areas of specialization. Rather than allowing the different criteria of the world to give us jitters, author Aimee Joseph urges us to use this book as a "little pointer" to see our decision-making from God's perspective. This is done through a few stages. First, she acknowledges our present environment that makes decision-making a difficult and sometimes mysterious process. Throughout history, people have been making decisions based on some popular cultural orientations. In ancient times, people use divination. The Enlightenment shifts people toward using "reason alone" to decide. In the contemporary world, more people are depending on their hearts to decide. Even the question, "Why am I Here?" depends on the worldview we adopt. Joseph also shows us that we should not undervalue the process in arriving at any decision. Such processes come with various benefits too. After sorting through some initial contexts surrounding decision-making, Joseph gives us some theological foundations to learn about discerning God's will. From the Old Testament, we learn about ceremonial laws, civil laws, and moral laws. from the New Testament, we learn about how these laws are transformed and fulfilled in the Person of Jesus Christ. The main part of the book deals with the various gauges to help us "demystify" the decision-making process. The "cultural gauge" reminds us of how our identity could shape the way we see things. The "idolatry gauge" warns us about the dangers of making choices according to what idols we have in our hearts. The "urgency gauge" is about priorities. The "gospel gauge" is about decisions that glorify Christ. This last gauge is the essence of this book. How then do we start and maintain such a gauge? This is how the author shows us the "demystifying" process. This process comprises both a practical component as well as a paradigm change.

Practically, it begins with expectation. Each decision point would need some clarity via understanding the context as well as the biblical principles as our framework. Such a framework would need our personal components such as our passions, our personal circumstances, and our priorities. For major decisions, praying and fasting could become most essential. With regard to perspectival changes, Joseph shows us three different ways to think about decision-making: Normative, Situational, and Existential. Other factors include the timing, and a situational analysis using tools like SWOT and a will to do the will of God in spite of our emotional hesitancy.

My Thoughts
=============
I learn about the relationship between our modern anxieties and the freedom associated with the ability to make choices. With freedom comes responsibility, and with responsibility comes difficult decision-making. This is one of the most common stress points in our daily lives. Sometimes, even the simplest of decision-making could render us into a stage of analysis-until-paralysis. While we can do our best to determine the best steps forward, it is also essential to practice faith as we decide on our best course of action. Indeed, like what the author has said, making decisions can become a drama in itself. I like particularly the reminder about the different gauges that we make. A lot of us tend to become attached to the things we idolize. Sometimes, we desire something so much that everything becomes attached to that desire. The spiritual masters of old are well aware of such human tendencies which is why they constantly focus on detachment and learning to keep idols at bay. The Scriptures also teach us to keep away from idols as well as to flee from temptation. The question is: What if we are not able to run away? What if it is our responsibility to make those choices? Then, this book comes into play. Learning to make decisions according to God's will is something a lot of people know generally but lack guidance specifically. Joseph shows us some practical ways and paradigms for us to consider.

Some of the methods are not directly taken from the Bible, for example, the SWOT analysis. There is no harm in trying to use modern management techniques to guide us in our decision-making. As long as we are letting the Bible be our primary guide and everything else as secondary, that should be fine. One main benefit of decision-making is how we get to understand ourselves better. As some people would say, we are what we decide to be. Life is a series of decision-making. We are what we are today because of the decisions we made in the past. Sounds scary? It should, but it should not make us paranoid to the point of refusing to make any decisions at all! Sometimes, not making a decision is already a decision made. Having said that, faith is about making the best decisions that we could and trusting the results to God. There is no guarantee in life, but the fact that we have tried is already an achievement in itself.

Let this book be a guide for us in our daily and crucial decision-making.

Aimee Joseph has spent many years directing women’s discipleship and ministry at Redeemer Presbyterian Church and in Campus Outreach San Diego. She and her husband are currently in the process of planting Center City Church in their neighborhood. She writes on aimeejoseph.blog.

Rating: 4.25 stars of 5.

conrade
This book has been provided courtesy of Crossway Publishers and NetGalley without requiring a positive review. All opinions offered above are mine unless otherwise stated or implied.

[Janie Collins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Perfect guidebook for anyone facing a decision that has them stumped! This book is like having someone calmly but deliberately hold your hand through each step of the process and experience more peace in the Lord as you do so. My favorite tid bit of advice from the book was to thinking of decision-making like doing a jigsaw puzzle: don’t expect the right choice to appear in front of you in sky writing, determining what the best choice is will take slow work and lots of time and attention to detail. Lay out all the pieces, slowly begin to sift through for the most important ones that God offers to you until you have the most pertinent pieces, and then the puzzle will begin to take shape before your eyes.

[Gabrielle Goodsell · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is an absolute gift. If you are hoping for a quick, easy answer to your dilemma - a fast-food approach to decision-making - this book is not for you. Joseph takes the time to fully saturate you in God’s word and gospel in a way that feels both pertinent and paramount before slowly laying groundwork for biblical decision-making processes. Joseph has prepared for us a decadent feast of decision-making, inviting us to partake alongside herself and our Creator; and as all the best meals do, it unfolds slowly, thoughtfully, and lovingly.

[J.T. · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5/5

A helpful read to look at decisions generally. A higher rating if it had unpacked in more than one chapter decision making processes.

[Sarah K. · Rating 5 out of 5]

As I read Demystifying Decision-Making, I was surprised to find how aligned the book was with my word of the year, trust. I can’t imagine why I was surprised since making decisions is based on trusting that we follow God’s will for our lives. But I just hadn’t considered it.

‘Whatever the situation that compelled you to read this book, God intends to use it to cultivate your ability to wait in humble dependence upon him,’1 Aimee wrote. This dependence, or trust, is what I loved seeing. Ms. Joseph explains the theology behind God being more interested in the process of decision-making than the outcome, the process being that we lean on him. This is the part that really settled within me and forced me beyond the questioning of my decisions and put me at peace with the bigger decisions and even the daily decisions of what to have for dinner and how much laundry to get done.
However, the author doesn’t stop at the nebulous ‘trust’ that we all struggle with. She outlines several biblical tools and secular methods that can help us parse through our decisions and hear God’s will for specific occasions more clearly.

I found I wanted to mark, highlight, or underline a number of sections (I don’t usually do this – having grown up with public school texts I never formed the habit since we weren’t allowed to in school!). In the chapter titled, ‘Theological Foundations for Decision’, the author addresses the Old Testament tools that were used, then goes on to exalt the Holy Spirit as God in us to guide us. I have longed to learn more about the Holy Spirit and was also pleased to see this.

This is followed by a look at influences on our decision making, including interesting culture observations, all while encouraging gospel influence. The cultural observations were particularly interesting, what with having lived overseas for the last 19 years. I truly appreciated the portions on decisions in situations of all things being equal, dealing with our poor past decisions, and how our passions may also play a part in our decision making.

I appreciated the practical, relatable examples throughout the book, as well as the numerous verses noted in each chapter. Chapter titles were a bit academic, but the writing was very approachable and never dry. I wish the charts included in the book were inserted at the chapter or referenced, as I found them only as I was flipping through the final pages. They would possibly be missed by those who don’t read the back matter of books (um, usually that’s me), yet they would also help tie some of the chapters together, especially the secular and gospel-centered practical portions.
I know I will refer back to this book when I have ‘big’ decisions to make in the future. The practical tips and methods that she describes will certainly be a help.

1 Aimee Joseph. Demystifying Decision-Making (Kindle Locations 419-420). Crossway.
I received a review copy of this book from Crossway in exchange for an honest review.

[Alan Yu · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! What a wonderful read from someone that I had the privilege of working under and I have known since I was a freshman in college. I have always admired and valued her wisdom since her days with CO at SDSU. Amazed to see all her words of wisdom that I have heard from her mouth personally and now on a page of a published book. This book provides wonderful life anecdotes, some of which I could personally relate to and also some I've also seen in the past (so cool!) And also just provides some great gospel truths which really can help those struggling with decision making in a world that is bombarded with choices. Very clear straight forward read!

[Samuel · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book definitely commits to its title: it is a practical guide helping make sense of the decision-making process. It does not promise an easy, fool-proof process for making any and all decisions, but it gives all the theological and practical guardrails that should be in place as you make decisions great and small. Joseph begins with a theological treatise on why we have decisions to make, drawing from the character of God and His will in our lives. As she moves to more practical steps, the focus shifts to the ultimate goal of making any decision: Will my choice make me more like Christ? The answer to that question is not always cut and dry, but the goal remains the same.

[Brian Draeger · Rating 4 out of 5]

The premise of this book caught my attention - I've never read a book about how to make decisions before!

While I think parts of the book could have been condensed, there were some nuggets of wisdom in this book that really spoke to me.

One of my favorite quotes from this book: "Through fear, self looms so large that we begin to believe that one decision can throw off God’s plan. Fear shrinks our infinite God and enlarges self in a way that robs God of glory and ourselves of peace. Fear forgets that the same God who spoke galaxies into existence holds our lives together."

[Scott Meadows · Rating 4 out of 5]

A practical and valuable guide to decision making, useful for self-studying or as a discipleship resource. Beginning with the theological tensions of God’s sovereignty and our responsibility, Aimee Joseph then transitions into different acronyms and methods for every-day decision making. Mixed with beautiful personal stories, pop culture references, and a humble heart pointing toward the Lord, I would offer this book to a congregation as a suggested read.

[Haley Juarez · Rating 5 out of 5]

Aimee wrote this book in a way that is both practical & theoretical! It was a sweet reminder that Christ alone gets the final word as we (believers) make decisions. My favorite quote from Aimee’s book is “The decision making process stretches our waiting muscles & helps us to look beyond our current situations to the ultimate end, the second coming of Christ.” I would recommend this book to anyone & everyone, even if they’re not in the process of making any life-changing decisions.

[Spencer Berry · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book, even though it’s fairly short, offers a pretty holistic view of decision making from a Christian perspective. It’s a pretty helpful book that helps remind you to ground your decision making in Christ, and it offers tools to come back to as you inevitably make more decisions in the future.

[Tina · Rating 3 out of 5]

A friend mentioned this book and I picked it up to preview for my soon-to-graduate-from-college daughter. The 1st half of the book is an overview of the Christian worldview, so if you're looking for a quick how-to on decision-making, you should skip to the second half or be prepared to take a slow walk into the process. I generally enjoyed the book and got out my pencil for some underlining.

[Glen · Rating 3 out of 5]

A solid look at the theological and practical dimensions that a believer should consider when making decisions. Joseph writes with a pastoral voice and draws from a wide array of sources to provide helpful images and concepts for readers seeking greater stability in the way they navigate a world of possibilities.

[Christine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really good. Similar to "Just Do Something" by KD but geared more toward women. Theological helps and practical helps such as SWOT, triperspectivalism, consolation and desolation from Ignatius which were all new to me and will try them! Also, reminders of the gospel and what to do after you make decisions.

[Katrina Swartzentruber · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book for what it was - a biblical and theological look into decision making. The first few chapters were more ground laying and didn’t provide a lot of new or deep insight, but overall I definitely came away from it with a better perspective. Well written and easy to connect with.

[Liske Lieuwen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Super good book and helped transform the way I think about making hard decisions in life. Challenged me to think about decision making as more of a process that God uses to draws us closer to himself, rather than just simply a yes/no decision.

[Aaron Shamp · Rating 4 out of 5]

Aimee Joseph does an excellent job of walking the reader through decision-making. The theological basis of the book is great and the practical teachings for decision-making is so helpful.