The Agony of Indecision – Sunday, November 16, 1952
There are two things in life of exceeding importance: One is to decide, and the other is to decide rightly. To be torn between two alternatives without being able to make up one’s mind is a time-consuming, peace-destroying factor that can do much to nullify effectiveness.
As we look back upon the plight of Hamlet with all his troubles and sorrows, one of the things for which he was most to be pitied was the agony of indecision—his hanging between “to be or not to be.” But the circumstances don’t have to be so serious to result in a real wrestle with ourselves. Even in the lesser things of life, under some circumstances we often experience the gnawing agony of indecision; whether to go or whether to stay, whether to buy this article or that one, whether to take the trip or give it up.
Sometimes decisions are made by default; that is to say that sometimes we simply wait until time has taken the choice out of our hands, and then we don’t have to decide. But such indecision may make us lose much. At least it may make us lose the indecisive time that we waste in waiting. All of us have to make many choices every day, every hour, sometimes it seems almost every instant—some serious and some superficial.
When all of the right factors are on one side and all of the wrong factors are on the other, deciding should be a very simple matter. In matters of principle, of morals or ethics or honesty there is really only one choice. But in other matters, sometimes it isn’t so simple. Sometimes there are things to be said on both sides.
Sometimes we have to weigh one against the other and give up something either way—and these are the difficult decisions. But when we seem to hang in uncertainty, there are some things that may help to settle us: One is a sound set of principles. We all urgently need a sound set of principles by which to measure everything else.
We need to know the rules, the law, the commandments. Another thing we often also need is someone trustworthy to talk to. And beyond our own wisdom and the wisdom of others we need faith—faith in the power of prayer, and a prayerful approach to all our personal and other problems. And with these we may save ourselves from wasting much of life away in agony and indecision.
“The Spoken Word,” heard over Radio Station KS L and the nationwide Columbia Broadcasting System, from the Tabernacle, Temple Square, Salt Lake City, Sunday, November 16, 1952, 11:00 to 11:30 a.m., Eastern Time. Copyright, 1952
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November 16, 1952
Broadcast Number 1,213