Before acting, consider everything 10 times

Remember what the spider said to the fly? “Oh, wonderful fly, do come into my house. It will be an honor to have you. You are so beautiful,” murmured the cunning spider. And as the trusting fly moved one step closer to the spider, it found itself trapped in the spider’s web.

The same thing can happen when we foolishly rush headlong into situations without thinking them through completely.

Years back, I recall how I watched my daughter’s school bus take a left turn off our road, and I thoughtfully walked back up our driveway toward the house. Back in the kitchen, I took a few more sips of coffee, and then, as was my custom, I picked up the cordless phone and dialed my friend and mentor’s number.

“Good morning,” he answered in his cheery, high-pitched voice. “How are you today?” I asked. “I’m fine, dear,” he replied.

Questions had been turning over in my mind during the night, and I was eager to talk to my wise friend. After some small talk, I went on to describe a situation I couldn’t quite resolve on my own. My three daughters were urging me to let them adopt two rescue puppies, and I was feeling resistant. Yet I wanted to be fair; we loved animals.

It just felt like a lot of responsibility to take on the responsibility, times two! After I described my problem, I asked, “What do you think I should do?”

Always encouraging, my friend began, “I have total confidence in you, so follow your instincts.” Then, he said, “Years ago, I heard an old Indian proverb that says, ‘Take one step; look 10 times.’”

His words made me take pause. Then, I nodded, relieved, and told him, “As usual, you’re absolutely right!”

Every day we make dozens of choices. This one wasn’t a major decision, and ultimately we decided against “double puppies” for now. But sometimes there are decisions we make that we look back on with sadness or joy, depending on how we were affected the years that followed.

So:

— When others’ words entice you … stop and use wisdom.

— When something seems so exciting … stop and use wisdom.

— When you just don’t feel right about someone or something … stop and use wisdom.

I like the Scripture that says, “If any of you lack wisdom ask God … and it shall be given” ( James 1:5). Prayerfully, taking that extra look can make all the difference. And then, when you make your decision, it will come naturally, from a sense of confidence that you’ve made the right one.

What a great insight!

You are a significant creation whose life has meaning and purpose. And you have a great future in front of you. God wants to take you to new levels of blessings. Hence, don’t let anything hold you back from being and achieving all that God desires for you.

I’m reminded of a letter I received awhile ago from ar eader who shared with me a memorable story. It was wintertime, and a woman was driving on unfamiliar roads to visit relatives when she ran into a snowstorm. Visibility was nearly zero, and soon the woman was lost. Nervously, she pulled her car over to the side of the street.

A short time later, she saw some bright lights outside the car window, and was excited to see it was a snowplow. The woman decided to follow it and drove as close to the vehicle as she could through the blinding storm.

But a few miles later, the plow stopped and the driver got out of his truck. He walked over to the woman’s car and asked, “Where are you going, Miss?”

“I’m on my way to a relative’s house across town,” the woman replied.

“Across town?” the driver questioned, and then exclaimed, “Well, you’ll never get there following me; I’m plowing a parking lot!”

As the story reveals, in order to get to your destination, you must be sure you’re on the right road. So trust and follow God, the One who will help you to navigate through your challenges and make your path straight. With Him, you can start over, you can recover and you can change directions … for it is never too late to achieve your heart’s highest goal.

When we rush through our lives, running on adrenaline and emotions, we often forget that it’s our duty to God to do right, and our duty to ourselves is to think right. Therefore, be sensitive and discerning.

How do we know if a thought is for our good? How do we measure it?

We measure it by this standard: Does it honor the word of God? For nothing is worth more than God’s wisdom. And, remember, the wisdom of God is, first and foremost, peaceable. Our only pathway to peace and wisdom is with Him. Let us turn to God and walk in His direction by reading the Bible and asking for revelation. The word “revelation” means “a manifestation of Divine will or truth.” For when we get direction from God, it is always for our good and our success.

It’s important to be watchful of whom we trust, confide in and follow; those who approach us with a hand of friendship may actually wish to tear us down. Be alert, act with care and use good judgment.

Now, when I am unsure what to do, I like to follow Matthews advice in the Bible: “Be as wise as a serpent and as harmless as a dove.” (Mathew 10:16)

And, like the dove, I take one step, and then look around 10 times before I take the second.

Email Catherine Galasso-Vigorito at cgv@anewyouworldwide.com. To order a copy of her new book, “The Open Window, 8 Weeks to Creating an Extraordinary Life,” visit www.anewyouworldwide.com or bookstores nationwide. Like me on Facebook! Follow Catherine on Instagram @Catherinegalassovigorito.