Feeling Overwhelmed by Decisions? Here’s How to Reclaim Your Focus and Peace

Summer's here, and if you're a parent, you probably started the season starry-eyed, full of plans and optimism. But by mid-July? You're counting the days until school starts and wondering how you’ve already maxed out your mental energy.

It’s not just the calendar—it’s the decisions. Every snack, screen time limit, bedtime battle, and road trip plan adds up. Studies say the average person makes about 35,000 conscious decisions a day. No wonder we feel tapped out.

This isn’t just a modern problem. Scripture has something to say about how we navigate life’s nonstop decision-making—and how we avoid drifting into places we never meant to go.

Decision Fatigue Is Real
There’s even a term for the mental exhaustion we feel: decision fatigue. The more choices we face, the more likely we are to avoid them altogether—or to make choices we regret. Sound familiar?

Maybe you’ve felt it in your marriage. One of you wants to talk through every detail, the other goes with gut feelings. That tension? It’s not just annoying—it’s actually a sign that your decision-making styles are rubbing against each other. It takes intentionality to find a rhythm that honors both.

Or maybe you’ve had those moments where you realize you’ve drifted. Not with one big decision, but with dozens of tiny ones—skipping prayer here, a little compromise there. Suddenly you look up and wonder, How did I get here?

The Psalms Offer a Better Way
Psalm 1 paints a powerful picture of two roads: one that leads toward life, peace, and God... and one that slowly veers off course.
“Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked
or stand in the way that sinners take
or sit in the company of mockers,
but whose delight is in the law of the Lord...” —Psalm 1:1-2

Did you catch the drift? First you’re walking. Then you’re standing. Then you’re sitting. It’s subtle. You don’t even notice the shift until you’ve taken up residence in a mindset or habit you never intended.
Christine Caine says it best: “When we begin to drift in any area of our lives, it’s subtle, hardly even noticeable... We don’t drift because we aren’t strong or haven’t walked with Christ for many years. It just happens.”

The good news? You’re not stuck. You don’t have to overhaul your entire life overnight. The next small, intentional decision toward Jesus is always the right one.

So What Can You Do?
Here are a few practical steps to fight decision fatigue and stay on the path that leads to life:

• Check your markers. Ask yourself regularly: Am I still walking in step with God, or have I slowly veered off course?
• Simplify where you can. Not every decision is urgent. Reduce the noise so you have clarity for the things that do matter.
• Include God in the small stuff. He cares about your marriage, your parenting stress, your summer schedule, and even your vacation plans.
• Invite accountability. Talk to your spouse or a trusted friend about how you make decisions—and how you can support each other in wise choices.
• Don't fear the drift—correct it. The goal isn’t guilt. It’s growth. One faithful step back in the right direction can reset your course.

Want to keep growing through the summer? We’re spending the next several weeks taking a “Summer Road Trip through the Psalms”—exploring how these ancient songs speak to our everyday lives. Whether you’re home or traveling, stay connected with us on social and follow along.

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