What if your future isn’t waiting on a big break—but a small decision you make today?
We all want to build something that lasts. A legacy. A life that matters. A faith our kids can follow. But let’s be honest… sometimes we’re so caught up trying to “make it” that we miss what’s quietly eating us from the inside out.
You’ve seen it before—a tree standing proud, bark intact, leaves fluttering. But inside? Empty. Rotted out. And no one noticed… until it collapsed.
Until it fell.
The Warning Hidden in a Healthy Tree
Have you ever seen someone’s life look amazing on Instagram, only to find out later their marriage was falling apart? Or their business crashed? Or their health gave out?
They looked great on the outside.
But something was quietly eating at their foundation.
That’s what ants did to that tree. Tiny little invaders, slow at first—but steady. Just like bitterness. Fear. Unforgiveness. Secret sin. Exhaustion. Pride.
And here’s the kicker—it wasn’t the tree’s surroundings. The soil was fine. The sun was shining. Other trees were thriving.
It was the untreated inside that made the difference. And if we’re not careful, that’s what happens to us.
We smile at work. We hold it together at church. We “praise the Lord, I’m good”—while our hearts are hanging by a thread. And maybe nobody knows. But we do. And God does.
So, what do we do?
We Pre-decide
Not react. Not panic. Not try to fix everything when it all comes crashing down.
We pre-decide.
That means we choose our values in advance. We set our standards now—before life pressures us to compromise.
Think of it like this: If you don’t decide how you’ll handle temptation, emotion will decide for you.
If you don’t decide what matters most, everything else will try to take its place.
This is about protecting your soul before the cracks form.
And honestly, pre-deciding sounds a lot like what Jesus was modeling all along.
In John 15:5, He says: “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit.”
Fruit doesn’t grow from shallow roots. And you don’t build a strong future by going with the flow.
You build it by staying connected to the source—Jesus—and deciding in advance, “This is who I am. This is how I live. This is what I believe.”
What About Your Legacy?
Lord, please let our kids turn out okay.
We hope they love God, live strong, avoid regret. But they don’t become that by accident. They become that by watching us.
They’ll model what we do, not what we say. So, we have to decide: Will faith be a feeling—or a family value?
Do we tithe when it’s convenient, or is it the first thing we do? Do we show up when it’s easy—or even when it’s not?
When the kids ask, “Are we going to church today?”—the answer shouldn’t be up for debate.
It’s what we do. Not because we’re perfect. But because we know where we’re rooted.
But What If I Don’t Feel Like It?
That’s real. Who feels like going to church every week? Or reading the Bible when the week’s been insane? Or being kind to people who push every button you have?
None of this is about how we feel. It’s about who we are becoming.
A friend of a pastor once had a craving for ice cream. So, they made a big event out of it—hit the store, bought every topping imaginable, even scooped it all up into bowls. But when it came time to eat? He passed. Smiling, he said, “I was in the mood for it. I didn’t say I was going to do it.”
That’s the power of pre-deciding. It’s not about feelings. It’s about values guiding your actions—no matter the craving or circumstance.
Why?
He said, “I was in the mood for it. I didn’t say I was going to do it.”
That’s the power of pre-deciding. Not letting your moods or cravings or circumstances call the shots.
You choose ahead of time—who you’ll be, what you’ll stand for, what you’ll walk away from.
When You Know What You Stand For, You Don’t Fall for Everything
Think of Daniel. When the law said stop praying, he didn’t wait to decide what to do. He had already chosen: three times a day, every day, he’d seek God.
Think of Joseph. Betrayed, lied on, tempted. But his decisions weren’t based on feelings. He’d already made up his mind to honor God.
They didn’t cave in crisis, because their character was already set.
That’s how you become unshakable.
Three Enemies You Can Beat by Pre-deciding
- Being Overwhelmed – Ever felt paralyzed by too many decisions? You’re not alone. It’s called decision fatigue, and it leads to impulsive choices. When you pre-decide, you remove guesswork. You make space for peace.
- Fear – Fear whispers worst-case scenarios and tries to keep you stuck. But 2 Timothy 1:7 reminds us: “God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and self-discipline.” Fear fades when values are clear.
- Lack of Preparation – Without a plan, pressure leads to poor choices. That’s why we build values into our routines. We don’t wait until Sunday morning to decide if we’re going to church. We go. Because that’s who we are.
A Final Word of Wisdom
Here’s a question to write down. Maybe even stick it on your mirror:
“In light of my past experiences, my future hopes, and my deepest values—what is the wise thing to do?”
That’s not a religious question. That’s a freedom question.
It’ll change the way you date. The way you spend.
The way you forgive.
The way you lead your home.
You’ll stop reacting and start building a future you’re proud of.
So… What’s Your Next Pre-decision?
- Maybe it’s committing to church weekly.
- Maybe it’s joining a group so you’re not doing life alone.
- Maybe it’s finally getting serious about your health or habits.
- Maybe it’s deleting the number, saying the prayer, starting the journal, or creating the budget.
But whatever it is—decide now.
Before the pressure. Before the storm. Before the temptation.
Because your future isn’t built in one moment. It’s built in a hundred small decisions—stacked daily, anchored deeply.
You’re not here by accident. You’re here because God’s calling you higher. Your future starts with this.
Today Changes It All
What do you need to pre-decide today? Write it down. Tell someone. Share this blog with a friend who’s building their legacy too. And if you haven’t joined a group or made church a habit, let this be the moment that changes everything.
You’re stronger than you feel.
You’re wiser than you think.
And your best days? They start with one decision.
So, let’s choose well—together.