How to Stop Overthinking Every Decision You Make

I'm combining two topics that I read about in Joyce Meyer's "Wake Up to the Word" devotional.  They are stretched and forethought.  

Stretched means "Extended; exerted to the utmost" while forethought is "A thinking beforehand; anticipation; prescience, premeditation."

You can feel stretched when taking on something new like a new job or a new role with your employer. The employer obviously felt you have the skills needed to hire you.  However, on your first day, you might feel overwhelmed and leave the situation feeling like you can't do it.  God will never lead you to something without being there to support you.  A friend on mine often says "God doesn't call the qualified, he qualifies the called."

For me, I can feel stretched when I give too much forethought or overthink a situation. I cannot tell you how many times I overthink a workout before going to the gym.  I might need to look up weight totals and do some calculations before going to Crossfit but fretting over a workout before class is unnecessary.

Forethought is valuable if you are asked to take on a commitment such as a service position at an AA meeting, leading a Bible study at your church, or going on an out of town retreat.  Forethought allows you to pray over the situation before making the commitment.  Talk to God about what you've been asked to do and ask for him to show you his will.  He will help you make the best decision for that situation.

Overthinking often leads to confusion and stress, making it hard to make decisions. People get trapped in a loop of considering every possible outcome, which can paralyze their actions. In contrast, forethought means planning ahead with a clear mind. It involves weighing options and anticipating challenges while staying focused on goals. While both involve thinking ahead, forethought is more about constructive planning, while overthinking can create unnecessary worry and doubt. Finding a balance is key to effective decision-making.

Resources:

Joyce Meyer's Wake Up to the Word

Ryan Robinson Blogging Tools