We Get to Choose!

I love Philippians 4:4-9. These verses provide godly perspective and powerful hope as I talk with women who struggle with the lies they believe. We work hard together to throw out the old tapes that play relentlessly in their heads. Evil, worn-out voices that tell them that they will never amount to much, that they are losers, failures, unforgivable, or are of little value.

We have a smorgasbord of choices as we begin another year. Much of what happens in life is out of our control. Much of life demands a response to some very difficult situations that we never would have chosen in a million years. And the hard truth is that as much as we try to manipulate, finagle, twist, and fix, the only thing we really control is our response to what happens around us.

My human nature pulls me to a pessimistic place. It springs from fear. Most likely under house arrest, Paul reminds me to look at life through lenses of gratitude. Of expectation. Of confidence of Christ's presence and His desire to influence beneficial change in my life by the power of the Holy Spirit.

I love that Paul tells us that we have choices.

Lots of choices!

We can choice to rejoice -

or we can choose to whine.

We can choose to give our troubles to God -

or we can choose to haul them around.

We can choose to be anxious -

or choose practical paths that lead to a peaceful spirit.

We can choose to think about life optimistically -

or choose to always view the glass as half empty.

We can choose contentment -

or we can choose greed and envy.

We can choose empowerment

by the power of the Holy Spirit -

or we can choose to try to wing it on our own.

We can choose to trust that God will meet all our needs -

or choose to believe that we're not going to make it through the week.

We can choose to be victors in Christ Jesus -

or choose to see ourselves as victims.

"Now choose life, so that you and your children may live and that you may love the Lord your God, listen to His voice, and hold fast to Him. For the Lord is your life"

- Deuteronomy 30:19-20.

I know that my choices not only affect me, but all the people in my world ... most importantly, my children and grandchildren. I want to model a joyful, godly, victorious life and leave a legacy of value that brings honor to the One who saved my soul. I'm working hard at choosing the options that will continue to take me there.

Will you join me?
Linda