Life is always about making choices.
Imagine you're standing at the counter of your favorite ice cream shop and asking the server "What do you think I want?"
Of course you wouldn't do that. With a variety of ice cream flavors tempting you, making a choice may be difficult, but you'll do it. "Please give me Cherry Jubilee and Chocolate Night, put the chocolate on the bottom and get a scoop with lots of cherries in it for the top."
It’s true that most choices in life are not as simple as choosing between chocolate and vanilla, but what you choose, how you make the choice, or don't make them, is as important to your self-esteem as taking responsibility for yourself.
There are two types of choices: Active — when you make something happen and live with the consequences; and Passive — when you "choose not to choose," and continue with the status quo. Passive choice may be because you believe that making any choice may lead to change and come with high risks.
Active choices can be painful; feelings of fear and vulnerability often accompany these decisions. Just because we know what's best for us doesn't make it any easier. This kind of choice-making is risky, too. The most difficult choices don't have any absolute right or wrong; there is no perfect solution. It takes great courage to face these hard decisions.
On the other hand, the postponement of choice can have serious backlashes in the way of stress, depression, discouragement, apathy, even physical illness. Procrastination seldom has any favorable results.
Though in the end the choice is yours, getting to the place to be able to make a decision doesn't have to be a solo trip. Ask for help. Talking things out with another person can be helpful, especially someone who is on your side but has nothing at stake in your decision. Don’t forget that God is always waiting for you to ask Him for help.
Even just expressing your concerns may help you sort things out, and writing down the pros and cons will give you more clarity than keeping everything in your head. Getting some distance (emotional or physical) may make assessment easier, especially if that distance allows you to see the reality of the situation and not just your wishful thinking.
Even with thoughtful consideration, not every choice will be the right one. But wrong decisions don't make you wrong. And, trite as it may sound, one of the ways we learn is through the mistakes we make.
Not each of the choices you make will have profound effect on the whole of your life. But the ongoing and continuous act of making choices will.
Seeking God's will, making choices you believe in, making conscious, thoughtful choices, and taking responsibility for your choices are all signs of becoming a person of faith and commitment, like the biblical character Joshua.
"But if serving the Lord seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord." (Joshua 24:15)
Still worried about choosing? Please consider what Jesus Christ told his disciples and let our Lord guide you:
"You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last—and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you." (John 15:16)
Author’s content used under license, © Claire Communications
