2 April -Why Good People Sometimes Make Bad Decisions (and What God Does With Them)

It’s easy to sit on the sidelines of someone else’s life and shake our heads when they mess up. It’s easy to judge, to question, to wonder, “How could they do that?” But the truth is… sometimes good people with good hearts still make bad choices.

That doesn’t mean they’re bad, beyond help or that God is done with them.

Good people can still make bad choices. Not because they’re bad… but because life is messy.

We are all made in the image of God (Genesis 1:27 NLT), which means there’s goodness, beauty, and potential within each one of us.

But we live in a broken world—and over time, painful experiences, trauma, and poor influences can cloud our judgment.

I love this quote by Doe Zantamata:"It’s easy to judge. It’s more difficult to understand. Understanding requires compassion, patience, and a willingness to believe that good hearts sometimes choose poor methods."

We all fall short. And we all need grace. The Bible puts it like this: “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” – Romans 3:23 (ESV)

But here’s the good news: God never gives up on people!

He knows that decisions aren't always easy and that our emotions, fears, and past hurts can start to speak louder than wisdom. But that’s why we need encourage one another to go deeper—into our values, thoughts and what God says so we can make good choices..

Here are a few simple tools that help me:

1. Write it out

When you write down your thoughts or weigh up a decision on paper, clarity comes. Morning Thoughts are great for this. Somehow seeing it written down brings objectivity and invites God into the process.

Habakkuk 2:2 says, “Write the vision and make it plain…” Sometimes clarity begins with a pen in your hand.

(Check out Morning Thoughts blog  or my podcast - The Dose)

2. Override anxiety with truth

Fear is loud—but truth is stronger. When a decision feels overwhelming, ask, “Am I being led by fear or faith?” God hasn’t given us a spirit of fear (2 Timothy 1:7 NIV).

Some of the best decisions I’ve ever made were scary—but they were right. Trusting God often means stepping out even when it’s uncomfortable.

3. Know your weaknesses

We all have blind spots. Maybe you make impulsive choices when you’re emotional, or maybe you overthink to the point of inaction. That’s okay—but know your patterns. Bring them into the light and invite Jesus to help you grow in those areas. (Psalm 139:23-24 NLT).

4. Set Yourself Up To Win! - Create an environment that supports wise decisions

Determine to create an environment that supports wise decisions. Make those things that lead to wisdom visible - see it and you're more likely to make time!

The best way I know to win is to spend time with Jesus and listen and do what He says from His Word.

If you struggle to make time for Jesus or to just sit with Him and read His words I encourage you to put your Bible next to the coffee machine or where you reach for your phone first thing in the morning.

Proverbs 3:5-6 (NLT) 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.”

You were created to walk in wisdom—with a heart led by grace, not fear. Yes, you’ll stumble. Yes, there will be moments you wish you could rewind.

But be encouraged today — God’s grace runs deeper than your worst mistake, and His Spirit within you is stronger than any confusion or regret.

Reach out, Lift up, and Love anyway.

Let’s choose to be people who don’t point fingers when others fall, but rather be the ones who reach out, lift up, and love anyway.

Because the truth is—no decision is too far gone, and no detour is too messy for God to redeem. He’s still writing your story… and what comes next can be beautiful.

He gives beauty for ashes. Hope for the hurting. Strength for the weary. Let's trust Him with every step.

"He will give a crown of beauty for ashes, a joyous blessing instead of mourning, festive praise instead of despair." (Isaiah 61:3 NLT)

Prayer:

Lord, thank You that You never give up on me, and that Your mercy is new every morning When I’ve made bad decisions, thank You for gently correcting and guiding me. Please help me to learn from my mistakes, to lean on Your wisdom, and to grow in understanding.

Give me compassion for others who are still finding their way and to remember that good people can still make poor choices.

Please continue to teach me to lead with love, live in grace and make decisions from a place of peace, not fear. In Jesus’ name, Amen.