Analysis Paralysis

A few weeks ago I started thinking that I should change the look of this blog and customize it a little bit. So, I started looking around at other blogs and websites that have cute templates, fun banners, and such. And, then, in predictable fashion, this condition set in…

Analysis Paralysis (which I’m going to capitalize and put in bold to emphasize that it should be considered a real condition)

Not everyone has a proclivity to this affliction, but those who do should know exactly what I’m talking about here.

AP, as we’ll call it, is sometimes aggressive, often chronic, and always debilitating when it flares up. Like its name suggests, it’s paralyzing. It causes its victim to get stuck in a state of analyzing, deliberating, weighing pros and cons, thinking through, and discussing possibilities. When in the throes of AP, one can go hours, days, even weeks or years without making a decision.

It can probably be argued that AP is a bit hereditary, but let me tell you what has made it much worse for me… the world WIDE web. As if I wasn’t already capable of being completely indecisive about everything from my major in college (I had three) to the type of toaster (2-slice or 4-slice; upright or oven) we should put on our wedding registry, now we’re equipped with things like Google where an infinite amount of information is available with a click… and whereby we can research (to its brutal death) any topic under the sun. As much as I love the internet, it can either be a blessing (resourceful and educational) or a curse (overwhelming and addictive).

And, this weekend the internet was a curse. I spent no small amount of time poring over tons of websites in search for the perfect template. And, then, right in the midst of this most recent AP flare-up over a matter as trite as finding a new look for my little blog, I ran across this quote:

“The Christian’s primary responsibility is not to analyze but to act.” (G. Kearnie Keegan)

Well, that pretty much sums it up. Notice it doesn’t imply that we’re not ever to analyze. I think we are called to be thinkers–and maybe more so and for longer amounts of time when faced with big decisions. But, in the end, we’re not very effective at ministering, parenting, loving, giving, serving, teaching, etc. if we’re not acting.

So, since I have taken this to heart in the small matter of giving this blog a facelift, let’s hope I can apply this in a few other areas that actually matter this week. I don’t want to be the “distracted scatterbrain” referenced below. Here’s to becoming a woman of action and curing AP one decision at a time!

Don’t fool yourself into thinking that you are a listener when you are anything but, letting the Word go in one ear and out the other. Act on what you hear! Those who hear and don’t act are like those who glance in the mirror, walk away, and two minutes later have no idea who they are, what they look like.

But whoever catches a glimpse of the revealed counsel of God—the free life!—even out of the corner of his eye, and sticks with it, is no distracted scatterbrain but a man or woman of action. That person will find delight and affirmation in the action. (James 1:22-26, The Message)