Do you find it hard to make decisions? Kathi Lipp says it can often be overwhelming to make decisions because of the myriad of options and opinions thrown our way.
“So often when we’re trying to make a new decision, what happens is we are not in tune with our own commitments, our own values, and so what starts to happen is that we take everybody’s advice, and we throw it into a pot, and we get frustrated.”
Kathi says creating a personal manifesto can be helpful in combating indecisiveness.
“It’s been one of the most freeing things I’ve ever done. My manifesto is really just some truths that I believe and I want to live up to.”
One example from her personal manifesto has to do with her commitment to her husband. It reads, ‘I’m on Roger’s team always.’
“So when someone asks if I want to go out to dinner, and it’s two days before Easter, but I know my husband serves on the tech ministry at church, I have to say no because I know Easter week is one of the busiest times of the year. I have to say no because my personal manifesto says that I will always chose Roger over any other human being. In this case, that means I have to serve him and bring him diner.”
Having our priorities written down, and set in stone, can help bring clarity to the decision making process.
Kathi says that we can also learn how to help our spouse make tough decisions in life. She says the best way we can do that is by showing our support, no matter the circumstances. She tells about a time when she considered leaving the ministry. Instead of trying to convince her to stay, Kathi’s husband Roger told her he supported whatever she felt God was calling her to do.
“He said, you know what, if that’s what you need to do, if you need to take some time to pull out and pray about what your next step is, I totally support you in that.”
It turns out that Kathi didn’t end up leaving the ministry, but Roger’s support left a lasting impact on her heart.
“I had the support of my teammate, and I had options now because before I was feeling like I owed everybody. He was very clarifying for me to say, yes, we have commitments here but we can finish those up if you feel like God’s bringing you in a new direction.”
Kathi Lipp is a full-time speaker and writer as well as being the parent of four young adults with her husband, Roger in San Jose, CA. When she is not doing laundry, she is speaking at retreats, conferences and women’s events across the US.
Key Scripture: Psalm 90:12
Featured Songs: Impossible – Building 429; Overcomer – Mandisa; Move – Toby Mac
Overwhelmed
