The Power of Our Choices

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Stimulus is anything that creates a response. A file of laundry is stimulus, a flooded floor, a burnt dish for lunch, an exciting game show, a screaming child, a frowning face of a neighbor. How we will respond to a particular stimulus will determine the quality of our lives. Do we complain to see a flooded floor or do we to take it as a challenge how to clean it fast and easy. 

Making choices may not be a problem, but sometimes it not as easy.  A frien invited you to a rare occasion of celebrating her 60th birthday, but hubby also asked you to go out? 

Most people deceived themselves by thinking that circumstances or other people are responsible for the kind of life we live. The reality is that we are accountable for our choices. These choices may seem insignificant, but like tiny trickles of water, it may create a dam that can drown us. One repeated act can lead to our final destiny. Over time our choices become habits of the heart. These habits affect our time and the quality of our lives. 

Whom do we listen to when we make our choices. 

Since the power to choose is in us, it is essential to have the right choices.  

Here are some considerations so we can have intelligent choices:

Choice # 1.  I will choose excellence in what we do. 

Proverbs 10:4. “A slack hand causes poverty, but the hand of the diligent makes rich.”

Pat Riley said, “Excellence is the gradual result of always striving to do better.” We need to do our best even if others may not know it, because you are proving something to yourself. UCLA coach said “Never try to be better than others, but be the best you can be”. 

Choice #2 I will choose to help people 

Philippians 2:4 “Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.”

Sometimes we don’t like to help people because it will disrupt our schedule; it is inconvenient, etc. But if we help others and make little sacrifices, you will notice that you become happier. If you share what you have, you are spreading happiness. 

Choice # 3 I will choose to help people be better than to make them happy. 

Proverbs 27:5-6 “Better is open rebuke than hidden love. Faithful are the wounds of a friend, profuse are the kisses of an enemy.” 

It is always a good choice if we will do what is good for people. But sometimes because we want to please people, we fail to correct them. We don’t want to dampen our harmonious relationship. But note that a rebuke of a friend is better than the kiss of an enemy. 

Choice #4 I will choose to focus on the present 

Philippians 3:13  “Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead.” 

“Yesterday ended last night” is a good maxim to follow. Past is past. The more we dwell on it, the further we get from today’s opportunities. But we can control the present. Thus we must focus our attention on today. 

If we are focused on the past, we can’t spot the opportunities coming our way. Opportunities come in many forms and from any direction, but one thing common to them all is that they just pass by. If we fail to catch it, they fly away, and we lost our time to shine for the Lord. 

Whatever happened has happened, and we can’t do anything about it. 

“New beginnings can only come from old endings.” 

In this quarantine period, we are all living in isolation. We have no choice, but we can choose to make the best out of it. 

Choice # 5:I will choose a relationship over anything.

Romans 12:18 “If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.” 

Sometimes issue about money or material things crop up; borrowed item not returned, or borrowed item destroyed. Oftentimes we put more importance on the item than the person. It is easy to replace an item or to earn unreturned money but hard to recover lost friends. Choosing friends or relationships is always a good investment. 

Unfair division of inherited properties destroys happy relationships. Since they don’t want to forgive, they ended up being enemies, all because of a small tract of land. 

Choose # 6 I will choose little acts that will bring long term benefits

Pro 6:6 “Go to the ant, you sluggard. Consider her ways, and be wise.”

Rising early to take your morning walk is not so attractive unless we think of its long term benefits. Eating more vegetables, less sugary foods and saying no to softdrinks and junk foods make you feel deprived of the good things in life, unless you think of their future benefits. 

Little acts add up to great benefits in the long haul. Choose to make little steps to success. 

Choice # 7 Choose what pleases God, and you will never go wrong.

Matthew 6:33 “But seek ye first the kingdom of God and all these things shall be added to you.”

We will never go wrong if we know that what we are doing has the blessing of God. Yet, we can’t choose what pleases God unless we have a closer relationship with Him. Choose to spend more time with the Lord in prayer, Bible study, church attendance, and the things that enrich our relationship with sisters like joining fellowship groups

Reference: John Maxwell. Leadership Gold.

Haydee Lasco For TBC Women’s Fellowhip, May 1, 2020

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