Analysis Paralysis?

Analysis Paralysis? 

One of the problems that is perhaps most pronounced in our North American society than anywhere else in the world today is: Analysis Paralysis.

Analysis Paralysis – also called choice paralysis or decision paralysis – is the inability to make a decision, which is usually a result of fear of failure, information overload, exaggerated expectations or a combination of all three. 

From the simplest decision – like deciding which video to watch – to life altering decisions such as choosing to pursue a specific vocation, analysis paralysis can prevent us from doing anything in reality because we are getting stuck in our own heads.

And that’s the problem – analysis paralysis occurs when we try to figure something out all by ourselves. 

In this Sunday’s Gospel, Mary did not try to figure out the problem all by herself.  She turned to Jesus, and asked Him for help.  Jesus does not appear to have given her the response she might have expected, but Mary still has the faith and hope to turn to servants and tell them “Do whatever he tells you.”  And Jesus tells them: “Fill the jars with water.”  It’s not the solution they would have expected, but they did what Jesus told them – and the rest as they say, is history.  

So, next time you’re stuck with a decision, whether something small or life altering, turn to God in prayer, and “Do whatever he tells you.”  And even if it is something seemingly ordinary and unspectacular – remember that it was something seemingly ordinary and unspectacular that Jesus asked the servants in today’s Gospel to do.  But when they did, they saw His glory and believed in Him.