I’ve learned in my own life, and from years of listening to others share their stories: we all make poor decisions sometimes. Whether it’s the company we keep, the choices we make in relationships, or how we handle our money, everyone has had moments where we wish we could go back and change something. But here’s the good news:
No matter how many poor decisions you’ve made, your past doesn’t define your future.
You can start making better, intentional decisions today, and it will change your life.
I think of Jennifer, who shared her story with us recently. She’s been through a lot—made poor decisions, married young to escape a tough home life, struggled with addiction, and even found herself homeless for a time. But she also shared how God met her in the middle of all that mess, found her, and gave her a new direction. Today, she’s been sober for three years. God has restored her relationships with her children, and she’s learning how to make decisions that reflect her new identity as a child of God. (Listen as Jennifer shares her story here.)
Our past may be filled with mistakes, but God’s grace is greater than any of them. He can take even our worst decisions and use them to show us how to live better, more intentionally, for His glory.
Let’s look at how you can make decisions that move you forward into the life God intends for you, no matter where you’ve been.
Your Past Doesn’t Define Your Future
Let me be clear—no matter what you’ve done or how many poor decisions you’ve made, they don’t have to control your future. You might have consequences to deal with, sure. There’s no erasing the past. But you have the power to change the direction of your life starting right now. That’s the beauty of living intentionally—you don’t have to stay stuck in a cycle of poor choices. With God’s help, you can start making better, wiser decisions today.
Jennifer said something that really struck me: “Through my bad choices, He’s taught me what it means to be His child.” Isn’t that incredible? God didn’t give up on her because of her bad decisions—He used them to shape her, to teach her, and to draw her closer to Him. And He can do the same for you.
Intentionality makes all the difference.
The Importance of Intentionality
We talk a lot here at Intentional Living about living with purpose—making decisions on purpose, with a clear vision of where you want to go. It’s easy to drift through life and let things just happen to you, but I can tell you from experience that intentionality makes all the difference.
When you live intentionally, you’re making thoughtful, prayerful decisions about your relationships, your career, your finances, and your faith. And yes, those decisions have consequences.
Dr. Stephen Covey once said, “While we are free to choose our actions, we are not free to choose the consequences of our actions.”
So, before you make any decision—big or small—stop and think about what those consequences might be. Are they leading you closer to the life God has for you, or pulling you further away?
God’s Grace Transforms Bad Decisions
God not only forgives our bad decisions—He can take those mistakes and turn them into something good. It’s part of His grace, this amazing ability to restore what’s been broken and use it for His purposes. When we make poor decisions, most of the time we carry the consequences with us. But instead of letting those consequences define us, we can allow God to use them to draw us closer to Him.
God can use even our mistakes for good.
Maybe you’ve made some bad choices in your life, and you’re feeling stuck. Let me encourage you—God isn’t done with you. God can use even our mistakes for good. He can take your past and use it to help you make better decisions in the future.
Every Decision Has Consequences
Remember that every decision you make comes with consequences—some good, some bad, some that you never even see coming. That’s why it’s so important to stop and think before you make a big decision. Ask yourself, “What will the consequences of this decision be?”
When we rush into decisions without counting the cost, we often end up with unintended consequences that we’re not prepared to handle. On the flip side, when we take the time to pray, seek wise counsel, and consider how our choices align with God’s plan, we’re much more likely to see positive results.
The goal isn’t to avoid all risk or never make a mistake—that’s impossible. But when we make decisions with intention, we give ourselves the best chance to walk in the path God has laid out for us.
Seek Wisdom in Decision-Making
When you’re faced with a decision, ask God for wisdom. And the best source of wisdom? God’s Word. Scripture is full of practical advice about making decisions. Proverbs 3:5-6 says, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight” (NIV).
When you take the time to pray and ask God for His wisdom, He’ll guide you in making decisions that honor Him and lead to the best outcomes. And also be open to wise counsel from people you trust—people who know you, love you, and want to see you succeed in your walk with Christ.
Move from Hurt, to Hope, to Healing
We all have hurts in our lives—whether from our own bad decisions or the decisions of others. But in God’s grace, He doesn’t leave us in our hurt. He gives us hope, and from that hope, we find healing.
Maybe you’re in a place right now where the decisions you’ve made have left you hurting. I want you to know there is hope. God loves you, and He’s not done with you. If you trust Him and start making intentional decisions that reflect His will, you’ll begin to see healing in your life. It won’t happen overnight, but it will happen. And when it does, you’ll be living in the freedom that comes from following God’s plan for your life.
You can start today. God’s grace is enough to cover every wrong turn, every bad choice. Let Him guide you into a future filled with hope, healing, and purpose. Take some time to reflect on the decisions you’re making. Ask yourself if they’re leading you toward the life God has for you. And if they’re not, make better choices today. It’s never too late to live with intention.
1 Covey, Stephen R. The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People: Powerful Lessons in Personal Change. Free Press, 1989.
