Helping Youth To Make Inspired Choices

By Allison Beckert

Decisions come in all sizes. Small daily decisions that set good habits. Immediate urgent decisions for safety and defense. Long term decisions that need to be revisited and given thought before proceeding at key points. The For the Strength of Youth program emphasizes the importance of making inspired decisions. In supporting the young people in your life, here are a few principles to support them in the variety of decisions that will come their way.

The Gift of the Holy Ghost Persists: Having received the Gift of the Holy Ghost after baptism, we as members are always aided by the guidance of inspiration. This gift is not revoked due to garden variety disobedience or distraction. Repentance and righteous living make it easier to hear the Spirit. Youth in the Church can come to think that they’ll lose the support of the Spirit due to small lapses. Knowing the Spirit’s guidance is a gift that persists, and can be felt especially in times of need, it will ensure they turn to this resource when decisions are crucial and immediate.

Employing Critical Thinking Skills: The glory of God is intelligence. And knowledge is a treasure of the soul. When decisions come up, knowledge about the problem, possibilities, and resources can turn an overwhelming question into something source? Are they backed with science and facts? What are other people saying about this information and should it be taken with caution? With endless resources, and usually very loud proponents of each with large budgets and advertising, some critical thinking skills and the Spirit to discern will go a very long way.

Making Decisions While Considering Consequences: All decisions come with consequences, and poor consequences or big outcomes can be extremely intimidating when practicing decision making. If your youth is reluctant to make decisions, it could be they fear the consequences, or being criticized for the decision they go with. Since a natural part of deciding a path is consequences, model and teach how to work through consequences rather than avoid them altogether. They will absolutely make decisions you as their parent, friend, or youth leader would not. And they’ll continue to do so, so handling consequences is just as valuable a skill to share as making those initial decisions. far less intimidating. As not all resources are created equal, one of the most valuable skills our youth should have is critical thinking. Question the sources of information. Are they from a reliable

When a big decision comes up, a change or a milestone, it’s alright to be nervous or doubt until action is taken. Being nervous is not a weakness, for youth or when we’re grown. Faith is proceeding with our inspired decisions knowing God is with us.