Making Choices
Here in Phoenix, Arizona we like to go hiking and we have numerous choices. There is South Mountain Park with its miles of primary trails for horseback riding, hiking and mountain biking. In the north part of the city is Piestawa Peak with fantastic views as well as secluded valleys.
Camelback Mountain has sheer red sandstone cliffs with the telltale “hump,” and is a favorite for thousands each year, including my son. For a nice family hike, Papago Park’s trails are generally much easier treks.
Those are just a few of the choices for hiking in this beautiful part of the world. And, depending upon which location a hiker chooses, a different set of circumstances arise.
Life is like that. Every choice we make leads us to a specific path and each path has its own unique set of obstacles. Just because there are obstacles does not mean that we made the wrong choice.
When faced with obstacles, many times people are quick to conclude that they made the wrong choice. But, how can one be so sure that the choice was wrong just because there are obstacles?
No matter what trail you choose to hike in the Phoenix area, there are going to be obstacles. How silly it would be to move from trail to trail, saying, “That last trail had some obstacles, so that was the wrong trail to climb.”
Why be so quick to define one of your choices as a bad choice or the wrong choice just because there are obstacles? If a path in life without obstacles, challenges or a learning curve exists, then please let me know! Better yet, write a book about it! You’ll be an overnight success!
Whenever you decide to do something new, you then have to accept and deal with the results of that choice. Some people may think that they can just refuse to choose. However, making no choice is a choice too, and those who make no choice have to deal with the results of not deciding.
God wants us to live, experience and enjoy the life He designed for us! He also gave us free will to choose or to decide. It’s up to us to pick a trail and start hiking!
Once you choose a starting point, and head down a new path, more choices will arise as you are presented with new and different situations.
Some paths are fairly smooth while others can be a little more difficult. But, don’t jump to conclusions and define them as bad choices just because they are a little more difficult.
God has promised us that He will direct our path. As we look to Him and ask Him for His help, He will do just that. If it is indeed the wrong path that will end in disaster, He will certainly direct us off that path. And, His direction will not be vague and mysterious; it will be clear and concise.
In the meantime, this is the path that we have chosen, complete with its own set of obstacles and challenges, so why not move ahead and excitement and anticipation, even though it might not feel completely safe at the moment?
New choices may not always feel safe and comfortable. As we move into different areas with the intention of expanding our lives, a certain level of comfort may not be there for a while. A few obstacles may crop up; we may have a new learning curve; we may be on a path we’ve never been on before. But it is all part of living life and growing!
Some people always choose to play it safe; they just sit on the couch and watch. They just want to be comfortable. They really don’t want to expose themselves to the challenges or the obstacles that will come from choosing a new path.
Perhaps they don’t even realize that playing it safe is also a choice, and with it, just like all other choices, comes its own set of challenges and obstacles. Many people who choose this course generally live a life of feeling sorry for themselves and blaming every one else for all their misery. They never admit that their own life is a product of their own choices.
Others see life differently. They believe that God wants us to live life to the fullest! They choose to expand. Then, they learn to deal with their new choices. They refuse to accept an obstacle as a sign that the choice was wrong. They look to God for help and direction on their new path.
Most importantly, they choose to let go of all the pressure of their choices. They refuse to carry the pressure of having to succeed just because they made a new choice. They refuse to carry the pressure of trying to define their new choice, whether it was good or bad, before it even has any time to develop.
And, they are confident that should that path be the wrong path, God will clearly help them and guide them to a new and better path. They know that He will never overstep our free will, but He has promised to direct our path.
They simply release all that pressure and are content with the decisions and choices that they have made. They move ahead and enjoy each day, regardless of the obstacles they face. They have chosen to live life to its fullest!
About the Author
Listen to one of Michael A. Verdicchio’s Pep Talks at http://www.MikesPepTalks.com/christians2free.html
Michael has a free newsletter called, THE PEP LETTER, at http://www.christianinspirationalgifts.com/pepletter.html .
Michael is a husband, father, minister, author, and broadcaster. He has been the voice on numerous productions over the years.
The very REAL cost of removing choice
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