5 Steps for Facing Daunting Decisions

A slab leak pushed a bathroom remodel ahead of other projects in 2005

Five book ideas competed for my attention like auditioning dancers. All seemed exciting, but working with any would be daunting. And then there was the completed Bible study guide that had been well received at two churches. Should I submit it to a publisher? That meant creating a blog—another time consumer.

I thumbed through my black leather Bible’s pages to the Old Testament book of Nehemiah. You see, Nehemiah knew how to tackle a difficult project.

The book begins with Nehemiah in a fortress of Susa (in modern-day Iran), his brother having just told him that their fellow Jews were in great trouble and disgrace. About 140 years earlier Babylon had broken down Jerusalem’s walls, burned its gates and buildings, taken its treasures, and exiled the inhabitants.  A Jewish remnant eventually returned and rebuilt a temple and homes. But the city still lacked walls to protect it from enemies.

Nehemiah wept for his people. He wanted to help. But he had a fulltime, prestigious position as cupbearer to the Persian King Artaxerxes. The king trusted him to serve him wine that wasn’t poisoned, something Nehemiah ensured by drinking first. He had the king’s confidence and ear. It wasn’t the kind of job one could choose to quit.

Nehemiah took five steps as he contemplated what to do about Jerusalem’s need.

First, for days he fasted and prayed, mourning over the need and confessing his sins and those of his people. He offered himself as a servant to God, willing to help how he could.

Second, Nehemiah devised a plan. He wanted to go to Jerusalem and rebuild its walls. He calculated what he would need and how to get it. He estimated the time it would take. He did not, however, waste time planning particulars that wouldn’t matter if the plan were nixed.

Third, he picked a day to present his plan to the king. He didn’t wait around anxiously pondering endless what-if scenarios. He set right to finding out if God was going to bless this venture.

Fourth, when the day came, Nehemiah asked God to grant him favor before Artaxerxes, the person with the power to say yes or no—and who had decreed previously the walls not be rebuilt (Ezra 4:21).

Nehemiah was ready when the opportunity came suddenly: when he brought the king his wine, the king asked him why he seemed sad.

Finally, despite his fear, Nehemiah seized the opportunity and told Artaxerxes what was on his heart. The king asked what he wanted. Nehemiah prayed again and asked for a leave of absence to rebuild the city. Then he laid out his plan.

Artaxerxes granted his request. That’s when Nehemiah knew God had answered YES!

I considered Nehemiah’s five steps carefully:

1. Seeking God through fasting, prayer, confession and willingness
2. Devising a plan
3. Setting a date to present the plan
4. Asking God to grant favor
5. Seizing opportunity despite fear

I had done step 1. I’d gotten stuck on step 2 by planning unnecessary details. So I dropped those distractions and set a date to test whether I could manage a blog: if within two weeks I could write five, I’d set a date by which I’d pitch the Bible study guide.

Within five days I wrote eight blogs.

November is my goal for presenting a proposal for the guide.

What about you? Are you contemplating a move, seeking a new job, pursuing a new passion? At which step are you now? Which step is usually most difficult for you?

“When I heard these things, I sat down and wept. For some days I mourned and fasted and prayed before the God of heaven.” ~Nehemiah 1:4 (NIV)

Next: Nehemiah thwarts mockers.