Tough decision-making gets more manageable if you are in touch with your guiding values. Our guiding values are given to us by Christ, and the only way to make an effective decision is to know God’s direction.
Proverbs 3:5-6 tell us to:
“Trust the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways, acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.”
It’s essential to recognize Christ’s emotional intelligence and the role He has in our sense of well-being and confidence. When we do this, we can view ourselves and our values with openness rather than judgment on God. By doing this, we elevate our self-regard and level of confidence, helping us motivate ourselves and others to make tough decisions.
But how do we know?
We have to talk to God and ask Him to show us His direction on the decision we make and to do this we need to read the Bible. This enables us to be connected to making wise and godly decision in all matters that are presented to us.
God will NEVER, NEVER, NEVER ask you to make a decision that goes against His Word… but if you lead by the flesh, then it won’t be God’s decision, but only yours.
How to apply EIC
The Scripture shares countless examples of how Jesus modeled EIC and thus made effective decisions, but I will share three of how He applied it.
The first display of Jesus’ emotional intelligence was when Jesus spoke to Moses on Mount Sinai at the burning bush and called Moses to lead His people, the Israelites, out of Egypt and into Canaan. Moses questioned God, disagreed with God, and did not obey quickly. But God knew Moses and, through this, could meet him where he was. Loving Moses enabled a deeper relationship with each other, increasing Moses’ faith in God and everything he asked him to do.
This Bible story is a lesson we, as leaders, can teach others. We often ask our colleagues, co-workers, and leaders of our team to accept a challenge, and instead of embracing it, they provide countless reasons why this isn’t for them or they can’t do it. Emotional intelligence in Christ happens when you think of Jesus and how He met Moses. Not by force, or disappointment but by love. Perhaps your team is scared, lacks confidence, or afraid of the outcome. That is when you apply the love of Christ to dig deeper into what is going on rather than just responding at face value.
The second approach in Jesus’ emotional intelligence was His interaction with the Samaritan women at the well, demonstrating the highest form of emotional intelligence and the love taught throughout the Bible. His approach to her was non-judgmental, and He cared for her regardless of her social standing.
Facing this challenge is a big one for Christian leaders. We are constantly in situations where Satan has tempted or tainted the flock and those who approach us to lead. Our role is to approach them as Jesus would and ask Him to allow us to apply the Emotional Intelligence in Christ needed to take them from where they are now to where God wants them to be. We live in a judgmental world, but through Christ, we can break down the stronghold of bondage and move into a place He would have for you and them.
The third approach to Jesus’ emotional intelligence was how Jesus dealt with Mary and Martha’s grief and their reaction to their brother Lazarus’ death. Jesus showed them the most potent message very differently: “Whoever believes in me [Jesus Christ] receives spiritual life that even physical death can never take away.” As a result of this incredible miracle of raising Lazarus from the dead. He used His emotional intelligence to approach them in very different ways.
We all lead in some way or another and are often in situations of doubt. It is incredible that we see the miracle God has for us at our lowest point when we are ready to give up. The takeaway is that no matter our doubt, social standing, or personality, Jesus can enable us through His Holy Spirit to use the right and perfect emotional intelligence to overcome any decision we have to make with anyone or anything. He enables us to make effective, Godly decisions no matter the circumstance.
Steps we need to remember in making touch decisions
Step 1: Start with a right heart. To follow Jesus more closely, we need to examine our hearts. This involves not having the heart of man but the Lord’s heart. Proverbs 16:9 says, “The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps.” Once you have Christ in your heart, He will take over the details and lead you to the right decision and implementation.
Step 2: Ask Jesus. We are failing in our decision if we are too anxious and ready to act quickly to get it done. Philippians 4:6-7 tells us, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.” We need to act as Psalm 119:105 tells us “His word is a lamp to our feet and a light to my path.” We need to let Jesus’ Word lead and guide us.
Step 3: Answer to Jesus, and only to Jesus. This involves knowing His Word. James 1:5 tells us, “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.” We must go to the Father for all answers and not be so quick to go to man or ourselves for our decisions.
How do you follow Jesus in making tough decisions?
If you submit yourself, listen to God’s advice and accept His instruction, you will follow what God commands you to do in decision-making. We do this through prayer, leadership helps, discipleship development, and serving. The best way to make a good decision is to search for the promises of God in His Word. It teaches us to believe in our decisions and not worry about them. Applying God’s Word comes as we invite the Holy Spirit into our decision-making. Remember that Emotional Intelligence in Christ is the work of the Holy Spirit within us to discern and manage personal emotions and behaviors in a way that honors God by loving others well the way Jesus did. When we invite the Holy Spirit in and embed Him into our hearts, we will act on His Word using all that we need for any tough decisions we face.
Estella Chavous is a global marketing executive, educator, published author, magazine columnist, radio personality, and keynote speaker. She holds a B.S. in Biology/Chemistry, an MBA, and an Ed.D. in Organizational Leadership. She has significant professional experience in sales, marketing, and education, working in strategic leadership positions in Fortune 500 companies, including Abbott, Amgen, and Bristol Myers-Squibb. She is currently the Global Channel Communications program manager for AVEVA Industrial Software.
As a co-founder of EDGE GOD IN, Dr. Estella provides weekly podcasts and Christian education. She also consults on all aspects of well-being, focusing on Christ-filled education, meditation, and contemplative prayer. She an Inside Timer meditation coach, adjunct professor, the Christ-filled Relationship Evaluator’s creator, and co-author of an Amazon best-selling book, Let Meditation Mend You.
Estella is actively involved in her faith and family and is commonly referred to as “The Mindful Dr. E,” using practices to focus first on the mind of Christ as the starting point to good health. She is a graduate of the Integrative Nutrition Health Coaching Program, a Holistic Chamber of Commerce member, and a certified Spin instructor.
Also led by staying in his presence and led by his Spirit and prayer and know his word amen He also said you search the scriptures for life but you won’t come to him to give you life In him we live and move and have our being amen 🙏 ❤️