How Do I Make Good Decisions? “Christ, Our Companion at Life’s Crossroads”

HOW DO WE MAKE GOOD DECISIONS?

* * *

Seven Waves Away/Abandon Ship (1957)

• After their luxury liner is sunk, a group of over twenty survivors take refuge in a life boat made for only nine. Included in the group are an old opera singer, a nuclear physicist, his wife and child, a General, a play-write and his dog, a college professor, a gambler and his mistress, the ship's nurse, and several members of the crew, including the Captain and executive officer. Soon, the captain dies from his injuries. The executive officer must take charge, and as a hurricane approaches, and their food and water run out, he must decide who to put over the side, and who stays and gets a chance at survival.

Franz Jaggerstatter

Before I decide on something, I make sure that…

1. …2. …3. …

I make good decision because…

1. …2. …3. …

I MAKE GOOD JUDGMENTS BECAUSE…

* I analyze the situation first before judging * I am blessed w/ a good mind and heart * Of my inspiration in life * I always have breakfast so that I don’t lack brain

power * I make good decisions when I am in good mood

I MAKE GOOD JUDGMENTS BECAUSE…

• I love myself• I think of the consequences before I act• I respect the welfare of my neighbor• I consider my reference to the Bible• I am concentrating my mind before I do something• If the time will come that my decision is not that good, no

one will be blamed but me • I think of what is good

I MAKE GOOD JUDGMENTS BECAUSE…

• I keep in mind that everyone is affected by decisions I choose

• I ask advice from other people• I am thinking of what the output will be • It will improve my social life as well• I am sure of it• It will take me to my real mission/ or my purpose• So people will have a positive outlook on me

Poor ways of making moral decisions

“Tossed coin” decisions: based on chance, external events, or circumstances

Poor ways of making moral decisions

• “Biased” decisions: decide based only on one’s injustice without regard for others or community norms

Poor ways of making moral decisions

• “Social mirror” decisions: putting too much emphasis on what others say without considering one’s emotion or conscience

What are the things you consider when you make decisions?

Things to Consider

• Courage to choose what is good• Follow the concrete good that our consciences

discern• Educate or Form our consciences• The need to make holistic decisions• Take into account what experience has shown us• Decisions that recognizes our being true Filipino

Christian persons-in-community

• SEARCH out the facts

• THINK about the alternatives and consequences

•OTHERS, How do our actions affect them and have we consulted them?

• PRAY

SEARCH out the facts

INVESTIGATE the facts. We need to discern accurately three elements of every moral acts (1) nature of the act,

(2) intention of the person and (3) the circumstances of the act.

INQUIRE about moral norms affecting your decisions.

IMAGINE consequences and alternatives.

THINK about the alternatives and consequences

INTROSPECTWe need to understand

the value of our emotions by considering others and consulting others

OTHERS

IMPLEMENT one’s decisions.

One must have the courage and resolve to do what one has decided upon.

IMPLORE God’s help in prayer.We ought to seek God’s guidance in prayer

before, during and after making our moral decisions.

PRAY

Sirach 15: 14-17

• God in the beginning created human beingsand made them subject to their own free choice.

• If you choose, you can keep the commandments;loyalty is doing the will of God.

• Set before you are fire and water;to whatever you choose, stretch out your hand.

• Before everyone are life and death,whichever they choose will be given them.

Sirach 15: 14-17

We are called to develop the “spontaneous” habit of checking on Christ’s example and teachings.

• What would Jesus do?" (often abbreviated to WWJD) became popular in the United States in the 1890s and again in 1990s as a personal motto for thousands of Christians

• Used the phrase as a reminder of their belief that Jesus is the example to be followed in daily life, and to act in a manner of which Jesus would approve.

WWJD

• The initials WWJD is sometimes used by Christians to mean "Walk with Jesus daily". Many Christians still use this phrase today, especially with young children.

Do your best, God will do the rest.

Making actual moral decisions is grounded on both our human nature and God’s grace.

By human nature, we posses intellect and free will and by grace, we are strengthened, empowered by the Holy Spirit.

Conclusion

• We naturally turn to the example and empowering grace of Christ who was similarly confronted with difficult crossroads in his life, but in all cases was guided by his love for God and others.