The Daily CHEW™
Chew on God’s Love. Live Transformed. Multiply Hope.
Yesterday afternoon, staring at three major decisions that needed to be made by Friday, I felt that familiar tension between my drive to move fast and my need to move wisely. Even though I am a Feeler and bend towards harmony, I love being efficient and effective like a Thinker. I thrive on solving problems in a way that has a lasting impact and serving people well. My instinct was to push through with my number two CliftonStrength Strategic and move into analysis and action. But something in my spirit was asking for more than efficiency—it was asking for clarity that comes from a deeper place than my own capability.
Maybe you know that exact moment when your competence meets complexity and you realize you need more than just better thinking. Maybe you’ve felt the tension between your desire to make the right call quickly and the underlying sense that the best decisions flow from a different source than your own strategic analysis. Maybe you’ve wished for a way to process not just the facts, but the emotions, hopes, and fears that are actually driving your decision-making—especially when the stakes feel high and the path forward isn’t immediately clear.
This isn’t about slowing down your decision-making or becoming less decisive. Research shows that high performers actually make better decisions when they operate from secure identity rather than driven urgency. The Gospel truth is that God’s love doesn’t compete with wisdom—it’s the source of it. When we know we’re as loved as Jesus himself, we can engage complexity without being paralyzed by it, process emotions without being controlled by them, and make decisions from security rather than fear or pride.
Join me for the Clarity CHEW—your 5-10 minute process for sorting through emotions, decisions, and daily moments when you need God’s love to bring clarity to what matters most.
The Clarity CHEW: When You Need More Than Quick Answers
The Clarity CHEW (5-10 minutes)
Best used: For processing emotions, making decisions, or recognizing God’s goodness in everyday moments
1. Begin with Adoration
“God, you are faithful and loving. Thank you for being with me in this moment of uncertainty.”
2. Confess: What’s Happening Right Now?
- Ask: What is happening in my life or heart right now?
- Name a specific feeling, relationship, task, or decision that’s on your mind
- Honestly confess: Where am I tempted to rely on myself, my mood, or my performance? How am I forgetting God’s love?
3. Hear: Listen for God’s Truth
- What does God’s Word say about this? (Choose one Gospel promise that speaks directly to what you just confessed, or browse these targeted categories to find the biblical truth your heart most needs right now.)
- If you’re unsure, recall a truth about God’s love (e.g., Philippians 4:6–7, Proverbs 3:5-6, James 1:5)
- Scripture shapes your heart and perspective as God works through His Word
4. Pause for Awe: Linger and Notice
- Take a slow, deep breath. Linger for 10–20 seconds
- Ask: What am I really feeling? What’s under the surface?
- Don’t rush to insight or action—allow yourself to feel, grieve, or even lament if needed
- Notice any shift, comfort, or challenge—even if you feel nothing, God’s love remains true
5. Exchange: God’s Love Reshapes You
“If I really believed God’s love is [truth or characteristic], how would that change [my situation, feeling, or response]?”
Answer honestly and in detail. Explore the ripple effects:
- How would this truth reshape your emotions, decisions, or attitude today?
- What would shift if you really believed God’s love is bigger than this challenge?
Don’t move on until you’ve really explored the heart-level impact.
6. Walk: Take a Practical Step
- What is one practical, Spirit-led step you can take, trusting God’s love?
- Sometimes the step is simply to rest, thank God, reach out to someone, or pause
7. Reflect on the Result
- What changed in you after this CHEW?
- How did God’s love shape your heart, thinking, or actions?
- Why does this shift matter for your life or faith?
8. Celebrate Every Honest Shift
- Every honest moment of awareness is progress—notice and thank God for any shift, even if it’s just a willingness to stay present
- You don’t have to feel a certain way or have a big “aha” moment
- Celebrate the process, not just the outcome. Even a small, honest answer is significant progress
Summary Table: Clarity CHEW Steps
| Step | What to Do | Key Prompt |
|---|---|---|
| Adore | Center on God’s faithfulness and love | “God, you are faithful and loving. Thank you for being with me” |
| Confess | Name what’s happening in your heart | “What is happening in my life or heart right now?” |
| Hear | Listen to God’s Word | “What does God’s Word say about this?” |
| Pause | Linger in God’s presence | “What am I really feeling? What’s under the surface?” |
| Exchange | God’s love brings clarity | “If I really believed God’s love is [truth], how would that change [my situation]?” |
| Walk | Take a practical step | “What’s one practical step I’ll take, trusting His love?” |
| Reflect | Notice what changed | “What changed in me after this CHEW?” |
| Celebrate | Thank God for honest shifts | “What shifted in me? Why does this matter?” |
Why 5-10 Minutes Matters for High Performers
As leaders, we’re trained to make decisions quickly and process information efficiently. But the most important decisions—the ones that shape our relationships, calling, and character—benefit from the kind of clarity that can only come from God’s wisdom. The Clarity CHEW helps you engage with the Holy Spirit’s work beneath your immediate analysis, addressing the emotions, fears, and desires that are actually driving your choices.
Research shows that leaders who integrate their values and secure identity into decision-making create more sustainable success. The Clarity CHEW helps you access the deepest foundation—God’s love for you—so your decisions flow from who you are, not just what you think.
When to Use Clarity CHEWs
- Before major decisions when you want wisdom beyond your own analysis
- When processing strong emotions that might be affecting your judgment
- During transitions when you’re not sure which direction to take
- For daily check-ins when you want to notice God’s goodness and guidance
- When feeling overwhelmed by options, expectations, or responsibilities
- During conflict when you need perspective on relationships and responses
Normalize the Process
Not every Clarity CHEW will produce breakthrough insight or perfect emotional resolution. Some will simply help you name what you’re really feeling. Others might bring surprising peace or direction. Both are exactly what you need. God delights in your willingness to bring the real complexities of leadership and life into His presence—not your ability to generate perfect spiritual insights.
CHEW On This™:
If you really believed God’s love is wise enough to guide your decisions and gracious enough to work through your imperfect choices, how would that change your approach to the decision or emotion you’re facing right now?
Community Call
Clarity comes not just through private reflection but through community discernment. Consider sharing your Clarity CHEW process with trusted advisors, accountability partners, or your team. The patterns you notice when processing decisions and emotions with others often reveal blind spots and provide encouragement that solo reflection can’t access.
Get God’s love from your head to your heart—subscribe to The Daily CHEW™ and experience real change, peace, and hope every day.
Ready for lasting transformation? Learn how to make CHEWing a daily rhythm in CHEW Groups and beyond.
Chew on God’s Love. Live Transformed. Multiply Hope.
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