Ever Make a Bad Decision?

I am an optimist. This is a positive character trait. However, when I only see the good things, the things that work, I downplay or ignore the damage and dysfunctional parts.

It happens with cars, because I admire the way they're made and the parts that do work. Whatever is broken I think I can either fix or put up with.

Last winter I bought a newer Subaru to replace our old & failing one. I overlooked several problems we will now have to fix or put up with.

It also happens with people. I'm too trusting and I want to believe the best about them, so I decide to act as if "everything is going to work out fine." When this involves depending on someone else for something that really matters, my trust has been misplaced. We can trust God to watch over us in all situations, but we have to use the judgement and resources He has given us. People will often let us down.

Last week I helped my son buy a car. I had a window of opportunity and basically decided we were going to drive something home that evening. I didn't use my skills for checking out a used car, or my abilities to negotiate the price and get the best deal.

It's okay to be optimistic, and I'm sure that having a good attitude and believing the best is a healthy way to live. But sometimes when we are making decisions "looking on the bright side" can actually cloud our thinking! That's ironic.

When I am "hoping for the best" and things turn out badly, what can I do? After I apologize to people I have let down and do my best to "clean up my mess," I'm still left with the questions: What have I learned?" and "What will be different?"

Sometimes I realize that things would have been different if my wife had been involved. Even if I had thought to ask myself "what would Susi think of this?" the mistake would have been avoided.

At some point prior to my mistakes, I let down my guard. The good news is that I do have a guard. I actually am capable of exercising good judgment and making sound decisions. I see four things that would help:

• Don't be in a rush. Nothing good ever comes from hurrying.

• Avoid situations that inherently limit your options.

• Stay connected with your best sources of good advice.

• Consider all angles thoroughly: ignoring leads to ignorance.

Whenever you make an important decision, be aware, be alert, be intentional. At least use the good judgment you have. And when you make mistakes, learn from them and your judgment and decision making will improve!