Johnny was faced with a tough decision. He had been invited to a teammates's house for a party they were having the night before his baseball team's season opener. Johnny knew their would be underage drinking going on and was uncomfortable about joining his teammates at the party. However, Johnny knew that he could face his moral problem and come to a decision using a process he had learned in school that helped him make the right decisions. He used this LISTEN method to decide what to do.

Look for the facts. Determine the realities of the situation. Knowledge of the facts can lead to a better decision than a decision made on loose or false ideas.

Johnny knew that underage drinking was illegal. His teammates were notorious for getting drunk on the weekends and Johnny feared that should he go to the party, perhaps not even to drink, he might be caught by the police or found out by his school. Johnny did not want to miss any baseball games or want any of his teammates suspended or kicked off the team. Johnny also knew that even if nobody was caught, the team would play bad the next day against the rival school, being hungover from the previous night.

Imagine the possibilities. Think about the consequences and the possible ways to approach the problem.

Johnny knew the consequences of getting caught and what also would happen to the team even if they were not caught drinking. Johnny then started to realize that his teammates might get mad at him for informing the coach about their party. But then, should he tell the coach? His school counselor? His parents or the boys'parents? Should he perhaps try to persuade the boys himself? Johnny thought of all the possibilities and was glad he had the options as he began to work out his problem.

Seek insight beyond your own. Approaching and trying to solve a problem or make a decision on our own often leads to our downfall.

Johnny thought that he should talk to his best friend Chris who was on the JV baseball team. After talking to Chris and telling him what he knew, they came to thinking that they should try to stop the varsity team from drinking the coming Friday before the game.

Turn Inward. Have interiority. Know oneself and examine your thoughts, feelings, and insights from experience, motivation, and values.

After gathering information and suggestions, Johnny now needed some time to reflect about his thoughts and what he should ultimately do. While reflecting, Johnny knew that he believed what the team was planning was wrong. His values called him to help the team in any way he could. Johnny realized that he owed it to his team to keep them from drinking underage. He was doing them a favor if he stopped them, whether they would realize it or not.

Expect God's help. God is present in your life and cares about you and how your decision will affect other people. If seeking the truth, God will assist you.

Johnny now was scared about what he was going to do. He needed courage and prayed for a while on Thursday night before he went to bed. The next day he would make a decision. He would attempt to carry out what he thought was right. Johnny knew God was for him and would help him through the next day.

Name your decision. When you can say what you want to yourself or others, the decision becomes your own and you are more committed to your decision.

The next day, Johnny saw his teammates gathered in the hallway before school. He approached them saying to himself, "OK I'm going to do this. I'm not going to be scared and I'm going to tell them that I think their party tonight is a bad idea." Johnny was able to speak to the team privately and expressed his concerns. He told them why he thought that the party was a bad idea. Some looked shocked and others listened respectfully.

Johnny knew he had done all he could do for now before seeking help from other people. The decision to have the party was up to the individual players themselves for the moment. By the end of the day, Johnny's teammate who was having the party told him that the party was off and that he would seem him tomorrow at the game. Johnny's team won the big game and performed brilliantly. Johnny was happy he had stopped the team from having a party and drinking the night before.