Making Good Choices

If we give ourselves a chance to really think about life, we would find that it is built by a series of choices and decisions we make. Some of these are very difficult, and if we ultimately make the wrong choice or decision, the consequences could be disastrous. It is important to know that God only wants the best for us, and to help us make our lives the best they can be. In Psalm 32:8(NIV), He tells us “I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you.” God will give us directions through His written Word, through the Spirit that indwells us, and also through people that can help us when it isn’t clear what we should do.

Wise and Unwise Counsel
When it comes to counsel and advice from people, not all of it is good, and we have to be careful. There are those that are well-intentioned, but unwise; and there are those who are wise, but not well-intentioned. Unwise counselors are very often individuals that want to be right more than they want to deliver counsel that is right for you. A telling sign is that their advice will not mention God or the wisdom of His Word. God’s agenda for us is always going to be covered in truth and love, and we are well-served to place the counsel we receive from others through the scrutiny of His Word. If our choices and decisions are filtered through His truth and love; the outcomes will please Him. They will also satisfy us and benefit all concerned.

Jeremiah 17:7 (NIV) says, “But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in him.” Wise counselors will point to God. They will not be on a power trip and try to get you to develop a dependency on them, but will encourage you to place your trust in Him. At the very least, they will recommend the practice of prayer and be willing to guide you through it. Prayer is a powerful instrument of change, and as a spiritual person in Christ, it is always best to receive counsel from a person who prays and is intimately acquainted with faith.

The Counsel of God’s Word and Spirit
You’re a spiritual being with a soul, housed in a body. It is an extreme blessing from God to have this magnificent gift of physical embodiment, but we are not be defined by our flesh and blood vessels. The human body is a temporary structure. Once it is no longer alive, our legal right to live on earth is terminated. Our bodies return to dust, and our souls vacate the premises. We’re outta here! God doesn’t want us leaving earth before our time. He wants us to live long and prosperous lives. Earth is our only chance to become the greatest version of ourselves. It extends the greatest opportunities to learn the lessons we are destined to learn; these are lessons we desperately need.

The graveyards are full of individuals that died prematurely because they missed the chance to walk with Christ through life as long as possible; therefore, they weren’t able to live to their fullest potential. God doesn’t want this. It’s one of the greatest reasons He’s given us the gift of the indwelling Holy Spirit. 1Corinthians 6:19-20(NIV) says, “Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.” God wanted the Spirit to live inside our body-temples because this allows the most intimate connection to Him. And the inside of us just happens to be where we all need the greatest amount of help.

Jesus said in John 16:13 that the Spirit will guide us into ALL truth. God knows the best decisions we should make. He knows the choice that is going to benefit the lives of all involved, and through the Holy Spirit, God will guide us. But this is only IF we want to be guided. Jesus Christ instructed us in Matthew 6:33 to seek the Kingdom of God and His righteousness first. Our choice to be guided by God is evidenced through our decision to seek His Word. As we read it, the Holy Spirit will work within to give us revelation and insight in the decision-making process. Let’s be committed to making better decisions and choices. When we seek God’s wisdom in all we do, our futures will be brighter, because they will be aligned with His plan and purpose for our lives.

Overcoming Domestic Violence

Overcoming domestic violence and abuse through Jesus Christ!