Four Things to Consider Before You Make That Next DecisionSample

Four propositions routinely figure into any choice we face to initiate or avoid risk. They include:

1. "What would you like?”
2. "What is available?”
3. "Can you make it happen?”
4. "What might result?”

Today, we’ll examine the first two.

“What would you like?”

The first proposition is about desire.

Desire encompasses our wants and cravings. “What do I want in this situation?” “What do I want out of life?” At its best, desire fuels healthy ambition and focus. It produces go-getters and high achievers. Desire can lead to exceptional performance in school, sports, or work, and can motivate us toward financial security, generosity, good parenting, and spiritual maturity.

But even the most virtuous among us are susceptible to sinful desires. If we’re not careful, this dark side of desire leaves us lacking contentment for what God has given us, and prone to chasing the wrong things.

“What is available?”

The second proposition presents opportunity.

Opportunity is about the circumstances that create the potential to advance our desires or the array of options available for doing so. For example, a financial blessing that comes in the form of an unexpected tax refund enables a caring parent to afford the tutoring she so desires for her struggling child. Even constraints, like imprisonment, financial loss, or a failed marriage are part of the opportunity proposition.

Of course, not all opportunities lead to good outcomes. A moment of freedom from the eyes of a watchful parent affords an opportunity for a child to chase a ball into a busy street. Long hours spent alone with an attractive co-worker can lead to marital infidelity. Available credit can bring problematic spending and crushing debt.

Opportunity follows desire, for we can only take advantage of conditions to advance an objective, or generate options for doing so, insofar as we know what that objective might be.

Tomorrow we’ll conclude our study by looking at the last two propositions and sharing some final thoughts.