Take Back Your Life

The Power of Pre-Deciding

Scripture References

Primary text

• Proverbs 16:3
• Daniel 1:8

Other references

• Genesis 22
• Ruth 1

Overview

Lasting fulfillment is not tied to talent, intelligence, or appearance—it rises or falls on the decisions we make. “The quality of your decisions determines the quality of your life.” Because most of us are poor decision-makers, Craig Groeschel introduced the spiritual discipline of pre-deciding: committing every area to the Lord now so our choices later flow from clear values instead of exhausted emotions. This message launches a six-week journey that will form six identity statements—ready, consistent, devoted, generous, faithful, finisher—so we can honor God in every moment.

Main Points

1. Decisions Shape Destiny

• Fulfilled people differ from struggling people chiefly in their daily choices.
• Key line, repeated:

  “The quality of your decisions determines the quality of your life.”

• We make our decisions, and our decisions make us.

2. Why We Struggle to Decide Well

• We are overwhelmed with choices—up to 35,000 daily—which leads to “decision fatigue”; as volume rises, quality falls.
• We fear making the wrong choice, especially Christians anxious about “missing God’s will,” so indecision stalls progress.
• We let emotions overrule logic: over-analyze trivial matters yet impulse-act on weighty ones.
  • Illustration: Craig spent weeks researching an inexpensive trailer, then jack-knifed it into his car, causing $3,000 damage—over-analysis followed by rash action.
  • Story: Newly-married Craig scaled a three-story church wall at 6 a.m. to retrieve a paper, got stuck, and had to be rescued by firefighters—proof of poor decision-making.
• Counsel to his kids: never make permanent decisions from temporary emotions.

3. Commit Everything to the Lord

• Proverbs 16:3 commands us to “commit to the Lord whatever you do,” whether dating, parenting, finances, or daily choices.
• When we seek Him first, He establishes our plans (echoing Jesus’ promise that “everything else will be added”).

4. The Power of Pre-Deciding

• Definition: “Determine our course of action before the moment of decision.”
• Template: “Whenever I’m faced with __________, I have pre-decided to __________.”
  • Impulse spending → wait three days.
  • Worry → pray first, cast burdens on God.
  • Road rage → bless, not curse, the other driver.
• Biblical examples:
  • Abraham (Genesis 22) had pre-decided that God is trustworthy, so he obeyed.
  • Ruth (Ruth 1) pledged in advance to follow Naomi and Naomi’s God.
  • Daniel (Daniel 1:8) resolved ahead of time not to defile himself with royal food.
• Summary line, repeated:

  “When your values are clear, your decisions are easier.”

5. Clarify Your Values

• Reflect: What do you want to be known for—integrity, faithfulness, purity, generosity?
• Discuss and pray about these in groups; ask God to etch them into your heart.
• Decisions determine direction; direction determines destiny.
  • Question for self-exam: “If your life is moving in the direction of your decisions, do you like that direction?”

6. Six Identity Declarations for the Series

Because Craig (and most of us) can be inconsistent, unprepared, unintentional, selfish, short-sighted, and prone to quit, we will pre-decide to be:

1. Ready
2. Consistent
3. Devoted
4. Generous
5. Faithful
6. Finishers

• Congregation practiced saying: “I am ready… I am consistent… I am devoted… I am generous… I am faithful… I am a finisher.”
• Knowing who we are determines what we do.

7. Grace Precedes Good Decisions

• Salvation rests not on our decision quality but on Jesus’ pre-decision in Gethsemane: “Not My will but Yours be done.”
• His obedience, death, and resurrection make new life possible; we respond by deciding to follow Him.

Key Truths

• Decision fatigue is real; quantity of choices erodes quality of choices.
• Indecision is still a decision—and it stalls progress.
• Emotions are a poor compass; pre-deciding anchors us to truth.
• Clear values today create easier choices tomorrow.
• Wise decisions compound toward blessing; foolish ones compound toward regret.
• Our identity in Christ empowers consistent, God-honoring action.

Response

• List your top 3–5 God-given values this week.
• Write personal pre-decision statements using the “whenever… I have pre-decided…” template.
• Commit every area—relationships, finances, work, habits—to the Lord in prayer.
• Attend or watch each of the next six messages to reinforce the six identity declarations.
• Evaluate current decisions: adjust any that are steering your life away from your declared values.

Closing

Craig invited the church to six weeks of focused engagement so God can “do a new thing” and form decision-making that reflects kingdom values. He urged listeners to anchor their future choices in what they have already committed to the Lord, not in the emotions of the moment.

“We are not what the world says we are—we are who God says we are.”

Prayer

The congregation prayed aloud for forgiveness and new life:

“Heavenly Father, forgive my sins. Jesus, save me. I trust You. Fill me with Your Spirit so I can pre-decide to follow You and show Your love in all that I do. Thank You for new life; I give You all of mine. In Jesus’ name, amen.”