“What is 3R Thursday?”

3R Thursday is a short devotional that contains Ramblings, Ruminations, and Reflections published most Thursdays to equip Christians with practical theology and philosophy.

Previous devotionals can be read here.

Now up, forward, and through 🤝 

3R THURSDAY: Region-Beta Paradox

Imagine you have a tough decision to make.

Rather than go through the discomfort of making that tough decision, you let the unmade decision linger.

Over time, the weight of this unmade decision is heavier than the pain of making the tough decision.

In other words, the pain caused is the same by making the tough decision as well as delaying the tough decision, but the time wasted increases.

By making the tough decision, you save time.

By delaying the tough decision, you waste time.

And paradoxically, the pain is with you longer, thereby causing more pain. This is the “Region-Beta” shown on the chart above.

Seen from another perspective, imagine you have a sore knee. You’re probably willing to put up with that pain for a longer period of time than if you had a broken foot.

Why?

Because the pain of the broken foot is worse than the pain of the sore knee, so you’re willing to get the foot fixed sooner than you are the sore knee.

Yet, the longer you go with the sore knee the more pain there is over time.

So what’s the lesson here?

Make the tough choice sooner to avoid longer pain.

As one philosopher has said:

Or as a philosopher-king said:

James reminds us that when we ask God for wisdom, we should not doubt that wisdom:

Consider the following men who made the tough decision, rather than delaying any further:

1. Noah and the Ark (Genesis 6-8): God commanded Noah to build an ark in preparation for a catastrophic flood. Despite the monumental task and the likely skepticism from those around him, Noah acted on God's instructions without delay. His obedience saved him, his family, and the creatures in his dominion from the flood, highlighting the importance of prompt action in response to God's guidance.

2. Abraham's Call (Genesis 12:1-4): When God called Abram (later named Abraham) to leave his homeland and go to a land that God would show him, promising to make him a great nation, Abraham obeyed immediately. Without knowing where he was going, Abraham demonstrated faith and obedience by acting on God's command promptly, which led to the establishment of a covenant that would affect generations to come.

3. Moses and the Exodus (Exodus 12-14): When God instructed Moses to lead the Israelites out of Egypt, Moses and Aaron followed God's commands precisely. From the Passover night to the crossing of the Red Sea, their adherence to God's instructions without delay resulted in the liberation of the Israelites from slavery and their eventual journey toward the Promised Land.

4. Ananias and Saul (Acts 9:10-18): After Saul's dramatic encounter with Jesus on the road to Damascus, which left him blind, God instructed Ananias to go to Saul and lay hands on him so that he might regain his sight. Despite his fears and reservations about Saul's reputation for persecuting Christians, Ananias obeyed God's command without delay. His prompt action played a crucial role in Saul's transformation into Paul.

On the opposite end, you have Jonah (Jonah 1-4), who initially ran away instead of going to Nineveh to deliver God's message. Rather than be obedient to God’s calling, Jonah's hesitation led to a dangerous storm that endangered others' lives and his eventual swallowing by a large fish. Jonah eventually made it to Nineveh, but the pain caused by his delay was ultimately worse than if he had obeyed God the first time.

All that to say, we want to obey God quickly (praying for wisdom at all times) and not delay any further when we know God is calling us to make a tough decision. The pain that may be associated with the tough decision will ultimately be less than the pain of disobedience or delaying the tough decision any further.

We should aim to follow the red line and be on that side of the region-beta rather than follow the blue line and delay making a tough decision.

How to make tough decisions

Discerning God's direction and ensuring an appropriate response involves a combination of spiritual disciplines, practical wisdom, and church involvement. Here are steps believers can take to discern God's guidance and act accordingly:

1. Prayer: Communication with God through prayer is foundational. Believers should seek God's guidance through prayer, asking for clarity, wisdom, and the ability to hear His voice. Prayer creates a personal dialogue with God, allowing for a deeper understanding of His will.

2. Scripture: Regular reading and meditation on the Bible help believers align their thoughts and actions with God's Word. Scriptures provide principles and examples that can guide decision-making and reveal God's character and desires for humanity.

3. Seeking Wise Counsel: Consulting with spiritually mature individuals such as pastors, mentors, or trusted believers can provide outside perspective and wisdom. These individuals can offer insights based on their understanding of the Scriptures and their own experiences of God's guidance.

4. Confirmation: Sometimes, God's direction is confirmed through circumstances, peace in one's spirit, or repeated messages that align with Scripture and godly counsel. Believers should look for confirmation that their understanding of God's guidance aligns with His character and biblical truth.

5. Openness to the Holy Spirit: The Holy Spirit plays a crucial role in guiding believers into all truth (John 16:4-15). Being open to the Holy Spirit's prompting, through inner conviction or spiritual gifts, can help discern God's direction.

6. Daily Reflection: Taking time to reflect on personal experiences, journaling, and considering how God has worked in one's life in the past can offer insights into how He might be leading now.

7. Active Faith: Sometimes, discernment becomes clearer through action. Taking steps of faith, even small ones, in what believers perceive to be God's direction can lead to further clarity and confirmation.

8. Patience: Waiting on God's timing is crucial. Discernment may not come quickly, and patience allows God to work through circumstances and personal growth to reveal His plans more clearly. Continue to rise and build while waiting patiently on the Lord (Nehemiah 2:18; Psalm 37:7-9).

9. Obedience to Known Commands: Faithfulness in obeying God's clear commands in Scripture sets a foundation for discerning His will in specific situations. Obedience in what is already revealed often precedes further guidance.

10. Church Involvement: Engaging with a healthy church provides opportunities for spiritual growth, encouragement, and confirmation from other believers who are also seeking to live according to God's will.

When discernment demonstrates that a tough decision is required, remember that the short-term pain is less than the long-term pain of delay. It may seem like delaying a tough decision is a better way to avoid the pain, but remember that the pain is worse with the delay. Seek God and be on the red line.

Hope you have a blessed week.

See you next Thursday,
CFW