Paralysis by Analysis

By: Robert Martin

Years ago when I worked as a marketing analyst, my boss warned me against “paralysis by analysis” – cautioning against spending so much time analysing that we never took any action.

The Biblical wisdom book Ecclesiastes makes a similar warning. Chapter 11 verse 4 says:

Whoever watches the wind will not plant; whoever looks at the clouds will not reap.

It’s saying that we can analyse, assess and plan, but unless we act, we’ll never reap any rewards. The Bible is encouraging us to ‘have a go’, because whilst we don’t know everything and our best predictions and forecasts will never be perfect, the Bible expresses confidence in the One who oversees everything (and cares), so we therefore can act, trusting Him and His oversight of the world.

Acknowledging this can take the sting out of our anxieties and we can act, not being paralysed analysing everything trying to make the perfect decision.

Article supplied with thanks to City Bible Forum.

About the author: Robert Martin oversees the work of City Bible Forum in Melbourne and is the host of the Bigger Questions radio show / podcast.

Feature image: Photo by jose aljovin on Unsplash