Monday, February 15, 2021
Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise men but as wise, making the most of your time, because the days are evil. So then do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the of the Lord is. Ephesians 5:15-17 NASB
The Right Choice
While we consider the options we have in life, it is easy to forget that a momentary decision can create a lifetime of impact. There are things that provoke us to make unhealthy decisions. These may not be bad in themselves but the choice we make in regard to them damages our lives.
There are many factors that can influence our decision making negatively. Three big factors are:
- Natural Drives and Desires – We have some natrual drives and desires that can get in the way of our making good decisions. God understands – He made us with these drives and desires that can be a weakness. But He expects us to have self control and master these desires.
- Emotions Out of Control - Fear, anger, depression, and even joy can cause faulty decision-making for the processing of these emotions is not in the logical parts of the brain.
- Trying to Please Others - If you live to please one person today, you will live to please another tomorrow. Your life will become a slave to the opinions and directions of others. There is only one who knows you fully and has a purpose and plan for your life. Andy Stanley said We will steer where we stare. So stare mightily at God and His plan. If you don’t know His plan, stare mightily at living out His word in your life and His plan will unfold day by day. Decision by decision. From The Best Yes by Lysa Terkeurst
Often we look back on our lives filled with regret at the choices and decisions we have made. One thing I always tried to make sure my children understood is that they did not want to live with regrets. Think about decisions before you act. Think long term. How will this act affect my life in the years to come. How will this affect others in my life now? Is this something that I want to define me? Because even though we may not define ourselves by our bad choices, others will.
Anytime we make a choice or a decision, if we consult the one true source in life we will avoid consequences that we painfully regret. God’s word gives instruction and advice that will match up with any problem or situation we may ever face. Make a concious effort to keep natural drives and desires, emotions, and the need to please others out of the decision making process and bring God to the front and center. He is the only one that you have to answer to that reallly matters. If you make a choice based on what would be pleasing to God, but it makes someone else upset, remember what is more important. You will be criticised and possibly persecuted because of your faith. You may be embarassed but I would rather be embarrased before men and stand before my Heavenly Father knowing that I made a choice based on what I believed to be most honoring to Him.
Big and and small, our choices follow us and sometimes send us down a specific path. Make each choice prayerfully and carefully.
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love…Ephesians 1:3-4
