Emotional Decisions

When one's feelings are troubled, he often makes decisions he would not otherwise make - decisions he may regret later. The Bible does not definitively reveal the feelings behind all actions, but several stories give insight into this principle.

Aaron. While Moses tarried on Mount Sinai, the Israelites became uncertain about what had happened to him. The people came to Aaron and demanded a new god; whether out of fear of the people or because he shared in their doubts, Aaron created a golden calf and then announced a wild festival in honor of that false god.

Asaph. Psalm 73 reveals that Asaph was envious of the wicked and frustrated by their apparent success. He reveals his progression from a bitter spirit to ignorant thinking to beastly actions. "When my heart was embittered and I was pierced within, then I was senseless and ignorant; I was like a beast before you" (vs. 21-22). He admits that his "steps had almost slipped" (v. 2) and that his feet came very near to stumbling from God's path.

David. After David committed adultery with Bathsheba and found out she was pregnant, he faced fear of the ramifications. He tried to cover his sin by summoning Uriah from battle. When Uriah maintained his loyalty to the mission rather than enjoying time with his wife, even after David made him drunk, David ordered manipulation in battle so that Uriah was murdered.

Peter. After Jesus was killed without establishing His kingdom, Peter must have experienced uncertainty, disappointment, fear, and possibly guilt. Lacking direction, he decided to return to fishing. Whether he intended this as a definitive return to his former occupation is uncertain, but at least for the moment he returned to his previous life and took several other disciples with him.

Elijah. After several years of loneliness and exile, Elijah was exhausted after an intense competition with the Baal-worshipers, followed by a marathon run back to town. When Jezebel immediately ordered his murder, Elijah abandoned the newly-kindled revival and fled to the desert in fear. Influenced by this combination of feelings, Elijah asked God to kill him.

Modern life offers similar illustrations. Young ladies, heart-broken over the ending of a relationship, rebound into the arms of the next available suitor, without discretion for his godlessness. Teenagers become angry with their parents over some "unfair" treatment; in protest, they go out and get drunk or become pregnant. In the disappointment over one wayward student in whose life a teacher had invested deeply, that teacher abandons Christian education. A pastor is discouraged over his apparent lack of impact and walks away from the ministry to which God has called him. Everyday examples with less dramatic repercussions are prevalent.

How can a believer avoid making foolish decisions at times when his feelings impair his judgment and his emotions hijack his reason? Following are some suggestions that can help to keep a Christian from impulsive or reckless disaster.

1. Pray. God promises wisdom to those who seek it. "But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him" (James 1:5). It is foolish in any decision, large or small, to assume that one will automatically or naturally do the right thing. Especially when one has troubling feelings that can compound the difficulty of clear thinking, he must pray and ask for God's direction. What if Aaron had sought God, admitting that he was uncertain and intimidated, asking God for the proper answer?

2. Think on Scripture. Pondering God's truth stabilizes the mind and anchors it again to right understanding. "Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path" (Psalm 119:105). Feelings are fickle, and the dominant emotion of the moment easily influences important decisions. Choices cannot be based on temporary feelings, but must be founded on the unchanging truth found in the eternal Word of God. What if Asaph had reflected on God's truth in his despair? In fact, he did, and it was his contemplation of God's ultimate judgment that kept him from detouring onto a wrong path.

3. Seek counsel. At times emotions can be so overpowering that they make clear thinking impossible. In times like this, a wise believer will seek out godly counselors who are not influenced by the same strong emotions. "Where there is no guidance the people fall, but in abundance of counselors there is victory" (Proverbs 11:14). A wise counselor, grounded in the Bible, can objectively evaluate the situation and direct the seeker in the right direction. What if David had sought counsel by calling Nathan the prophet before killing Uriah, rather than merely listening to him afterward?

4. Wait. Feelings can be so intense that they impel someone to act in the heat of the moment, making a rash decision that he never would have made if he had waited a few days or even a few hours. "The plans of the diligent lead surely to advantage, but everyone who is hasty comes surely to poverty" (Proverbs 21:5). A little time can let deceitful emotions subside, allow new information to surface, and grant perspective to see clearly. What if Peter had waited until he talked to Jesus again before deciding what to do? As it turned out, Peter did not have to wait long before Jesus gave him very specific and meaningful direction for his life.

5. Sleep. Emotions are exhausting, leaving people so tired that they literally cannot think clearly. "It is vain for you to rise up early, to retire late, to eat the bread of painful labors; for He gives to His beloved even in his sleep" (Psalm 127:2). People with raging emotions often avoid settling down to sleep, but sleep is a gift of God, designed to restore man physically, mentally, and emotionally. Very often situations will look quite different and less threatening after some good rest. What if Elijah had taken  the proper rest in the midst of his intense time? God's restorative plan for Elijah included sleep and food; only after God had properly cared for him physically did He reveal what Elijah should do next.

Decisions and actions made under the influence of emotion can damage the individual himself as well as others around him. While some consequences can be quickly remedied, other situations are so pivotal that they have life-long ramifications. A Christian cannot afford to cause such damage by allowing his emotions to shape his actions.