The Multiple Choice Life

“Today I have given you the choice between life and death, between blessings and curses. Now I call on heaven and earth to witness the choice you make. Oh, that you would choose life, so that you and your descendants might live!

Deuteronomy 30:19 (NLT)

 

Hello Hello!

Happy April and Happy Spring! ????

I hope everyone is doing well, enjoying warmer weather and longer days. My body is still trying to adjust to losing an hour of sleep. I am sure I’m not the only one.

Aside from the pollen and my allergies, Spring is one of my favorite seasons. There’s a sense of renewal, a refreshing and things start to blossom all around us. What was lying dormant or hidden in winter is now coming alive. Most importantly, this month, we celebrate the resurrection of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. He is the ultimate demonstration of being restored from death to life.

This month I want to focus on our choices and decisions. Our lives at this very moment are a direct result of the decisions we’ve made based on the choices we’ve had. According to my search on Bing, choices are an act of selecting or making a decision when faced with two or more possibilities. To decide means to come to a resolution in the mind, come to a conclusion, give victory to one side.  Therefore, the healthiness of our mind determines how well we make decisions based on the choices we’re presented with.

Our world is full of a myriad of choices. We get to decide what to wear, what we eat, where we live, what we drive, where we go, how we spend our money, our career path, our marital status and the list goes on and on. We make choices every single day, most of the time without giving it much thought.

Allow me to pose a few questions: Are you happy with your life right now? Do you feel like you’re headed in the right direction? Or do you feel unfulfilled, stuck and stagnant? Do you feel like you’re flying by the seat of your pants and your life is out of control? Do you tend to make impulsive decisions and regret them later? Do you make decisions based on what others think you should do?  Are you living on auto pilot and just letting life “happen to you”? Let’s talk about it.

Oh, how I wish that sometimes I could take a day off from having to make certain decisions but unfortunately by the time our feet hit the floor in the morning, decisions have to be made. And we continue to make them all day long until our head hits the pillow at night only to have to do the same thing tomorrow and the next day and the next day.

As humans, we tend to gravitate towards thrilling, enticing or tantalizing things that appeal to our senses. And we typically avoid things that are challenging, time consuming or boring.

Having to make a decision means that there are choices. Some decisions are easier than others. I’m reminded of those dreaded multiple-choice tests I took in high school and college. One answer is clearly wrong but there are 2 or more answers that are very similar but only one is right. Getting the right answer would not only determine my grade on that test but also whether I was moving toward my ultimate goal which at the time was graduation.

We will always be presented with choices. Sometimes the choice is obvious and at other times there are 2 or more choices that we are torn by because one will satisfy our flesh and the other is more difficult and won’t gratify us in the moment. One will make us happy temporarily but will end in regret. The other one is hard in the beginning but afterwards leaves a smile on our face.

When we accept Christ, our spirit man is saved but we still have a soul and body to contend with. It would be nice if salvation would solve all our dilemmas and automatically enable us to make the right decisions but it doesn’t work like that.

In the Garden of Eden, God gave Adam and Eve dominion but did not take away their ability to choose between good and evil. He gave specific instructions on what to do and what not to do. But instead, He allowed them to choose how they would manage what they had been given. And we all know how that turned out. We are experiencing the consequences today from their ONE bad decision.

Deuteronomy 30:19 confirms that WE are the decision makers of our lives. We were not designed as robots. Rather, God created us with autonomy.  We can accept Him or reject Him. We can choose life or destruction, to be blessed or cursed. We have been given a wonderful privilege that we often don’t take full advantage of…the power to CHOOSE! At any moment in our lives, we can choose differently without anyone’s permission or input. I think that’s remarkable!

You may be putting off making certain decisions. But in reality, indecision is still a decision. Deciding what I’m wearing to work or eating for lunch is easier than deciding if I will allow negative thoughts to consume my day. Will I internalize a rude comment from a loved one or even a stranger? Will I pack up the worries from yesterday and carry them with me today? Will I drag my past around and wonder why I’m so tired and can’t seem to get ahead? Will I give all my time to my job, family and friends but none to God or myself? Will I let the voice of inadequacy, self-doubt or anxiety talk to me all day long but do nothing to interrupt it? Will I decided on a whim to purchase something I can’t afford so I can feed my insecurities?  Will I pull into the drive thru at Krispy Kreme because the “hot now” sign is on and tell myself I deserve it because I’ve had a bad day? Will I show up in the world as bitter, angry, spiteful or jealous because I refuse to do the internal work to heal from past trauma? Will I let abandonment, rejection or heartbreak convince me that I’m flawed and unworthy?

We all get the same 24 hours every day, it’s what we do with them that counts. Our choices either cause us to move forward, stay stuck or regress and lose momentum. Most of the time, we are one decision away from the life God planned for us. Why continue going down a path that will eventually cause us to self-destruct?

Just because we didn’t make the best decision yesterday doesn’t mean we have to continue the same pattern today. We can decide at any second to choose differently.

When it comes to making a decision, God puts the ball in our court. He is a gentleman and will not choose for us nor override our will. However, He loves to be fully involved and guide us but He will not bombard our lives. We have to choose to include Him in our decision-making process.

As adults, we’re not responsible for another person’s decisions. We shouldn’t make a decision for them nor accept blame for their results. Our decisions and the consequence of our choices is totally on us.

We must weigh our options, decide which choice is best and take action. Unless it’s an emergency, most major decisions don’t require an immediate response. Instead of being hasty and choosing based on your feelings, pause and take time to fully consider all possible options and count up the cost.

As the saying goes, never go grocery shopping when you’re hungry. And I say never make a major decision when “you’re in your feelings.” Our feelings and flesh can’t be trusted to make the right choice. It feels good in the moment but when the euphoria wears off, you are left to deal with the consequences that could take years to recover from.

Have you ever made an impulsive decision because it “felt right” in the moment? You knew it was wrong or too good to be true but you went against your better judgment and did it anyway? I’ve made plenty of impulsive decisions; however, all of them ended up costing me time, money, disappointment and a whole lot of regret. The pleasure and fascination that came with it was very short lived. My life didn’t change until I started making better choices. The “best” choice is never easy but the end result outweighs the mental resistance you initially feel.

 

What stops us from deciding:

1. Fear of making the wrong choice. We often think of what happened the last time or how something didn’t work in our favor, how the choice we made ended up breaking our heart or setting us back. We’re afraid of choosing the wrong thing, relationship or opportunity. Fear is paralyzing and stifles our growth.
2. Lack of confidence in ourselves: we don’t believe we’re capable because we failed in that area before, or someone else tried it and it didn’t work for them, we focus on our inadequacies, our lack of knowledge or skill, we don’t think we’re smart enough or have what it takes to be successful, we don’t believe we’re worthy of God’s best.
3. Lack of faith in God: we don’t believe God is credible or trustworthy, we don’t think He will come through for us, we feel we’re getting our hopes up only to be let down, we don’t love ourselves and therefore believe that God doesn’t love us either, we judge God’s love for us based on rejection from our parents, spouse, family or friends, we can believe for others but not ourselves, it’s easier for us to say we have faith than to actually activate it.

 

How to make a decision:

1. Weigh your options: consider the choices you have, do your research, compare and contrast the pros and cons of each choice, consult someone who has experience with your particular situation, think about the long-term implications of your decisions, which choice will get you closer to your goals, which choice will honor God, refuse to make a decision based on how you’re feeling in the moment.
2. Tap into God’s strength/power: ask God for wisdom and strength, pray and wait for Him to answer, be willing to accept his answer even if it is not what you would choose, the final decision is yours but God is never wrong, we have more power than we realize, we just don’t utilize it.
3. Renew your mind: have a Proverbs 3:5-6 mindset, change the way you think about your life and what’s possible for you, take control of the thoughts that seek to steer you in the direction of your downfall, think about what you’re thinking about. If our minds are dwelling on doom and gloom, then our choices will reflect our thoughts. Negative thoughts won’t produce a positive life. We must adopt the mind of Christ.

 

You always have a choice. So, if you don’t like the life you’re living or the results you’re getting, then choose differently. If you’ve done something repeatedly and aren’t making any progress, then it’s time to reassess your life. You can change any moment you decide to. If you’re not happy with your health, finances, relationships, career or thought life, then change it. That’s the freedom God has given us. But you can’t be jealous of someone who is making choices that are leading them towards wholeness and God’s plan for their life. For you have the same opportunity too!

You may be saying that you don’t have a choice, I beg to differ. If we are followers of Christ, we always have a choice. Your tomorrow doesn’t have to look like today or your past. But we have to be honest with ourselves. Either we don’t like the requirements of the best choice or our flesh is enjoying the choices we’ve made and we don’t want to give it up. We don’t have a right to complain if we are unwilling to make adjustments. We all know the definition of insanity and if we want different, we have to do different.

 

You DO have a choice. Will you choose…  (Deuteronomy 30:19 and Proverbs 3:5-6)

Blessings or curses

Love or hate

Forgiveness or holding a grudge

Self-pity or purpose and power

Faith or Doubt

Fear or courage

Patience or desperation

Yielding to temptation or taking the way of escape

Sin or Obedience

Being honest or telling lies

Right or wrong

Giving or taking

Laziness or productivity

Being bound to your past or doing the work to become free

Self-hatred or self-love

Being easily offended or being unaffected and keeping your peace

Complaining or gratitude

Blaming others or taking responsibility for your actions

Pride or humility

Prayer or worrying

Being desperate or being content and secure with who you are

To follow your flesh or walk in the Spirit

To hate your enemies or pray for them

To face yourself or wear a mask

To dwell on your past or focus on your future

Wasteful spending or be a good steward over your finances

To procrastinate or be proactive and prepared

God’s word or man’s opinion

Eternal Life or eternity apart from God

Choose wisely! It’s not too late to make the BEST choice!

 

In closing, God has given us the answer to every challenge we will ever face and for every decision we have to make. He doesn’t take away our power to choose but He does take the guess work out of it. In this multiple-choice test called life, we have the answer key. The Bible, our relationship with God, prayer and worship will guide us in EVERY decision we have to make. As we live our “Multiple Choice Life”, if we don’t know the answer, let’s make sure we consult the One who does.  He delights in giving us the answers we need to make the best choice. He also loves handing out A+’s, a score of 100% and a smiley face! ???? Let’s acknowledge Him in ALL our ways, life is sweeter when we do!

 

Please feel free to leave a comment if this blog resonates with you. I would love to hear your thoughts and will be sure to reply too!

 

Thanks for coming back again this month and hanging out with me. I love it when you do! I’ll see you in May!

 

Journal and Greeting Card Giveaway: The first 10 people to leave a comment will receive a copy of my Party of ONE journal and a Party of ONE greeting card so that you can pay it forward. You will be contacted via email if you are one of the winners. You must reside in the USA.

 

You are celebrated and appreciated my fellow Party of ONE!

 

God’s best always,

Leslie

 

Scriptures to ponder:

“Today I have given you the choice between life and death, between blessings and curses. Now I call on heaven and earth to witness the choice you make. Oh, that you would choose life, so that you and your descendants might live! Deuteronomy 30:19 (NLT)

 

The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure. 1 Corinthians 10:13 (NLT)

 

There is a way that appears to be right, but in the end it leads to death. Proverbs 14:12 (NIV)

 

But if you refuse to serve the LORD, then choose today whom you will serve. Would you prefer the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates? Or will it be the gods of the Amorites in whose land you now live? But as for me and my family, we will serve the LORD.” Joshua 24:15 (NLT)

 

Trust God from the bottom of your heart; don’t try to figure out everything on your own. 6 Listen for God’s voice in everything you do, everywhere you go; he’s the one who will keep you on track. Proverbs 3:5-6 (MSG)