“So, what are you going to do about it?” Uncle Dwayne’s
question jerked me out of my puddle of imagined helplessness. Although I was
only fourteen, he was teaching me a lesson I could take with me the rest of my
life. He was showing me that I have
choices.
No matter how bleak our picture seems, no matter what abuses
we’ve suffered in the past, God always presents us with options.
Even if you’re reading these words from a prison cell, you
can decide what kinds of thoughts you’ll keep and which you’ll discard. You get
to choose what words will exit your mouth and which ones you’ll never allow the
power to help or destroy. You say what
books you read, what TV shows and movies you watch, and which friends’ advice
you follow.
Our destiny is more up to us than we may realize.
The devil wants us to believe that we can’t help the shape
of our circumstances, that we must tolerate whatever mess we find ourselves in
today. That is a lie.
God wants us to tap into the power of His Spirit within us,
and make choices that will propel us forward in our relationships, our health, our
careers, and our ministries. Will we
accept His challenge?
Like Uncle Dwayne, He asks us, “What are you going to do
about it?”
Good words, Jeanette.
ReplyDeleteHi, Barb. Thanks for stopping by today!
DeleteAmen! So very true and well said!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Shelly. And I loved your story about your uncle saving Marlon Brando's life-amazing!
DeleteWe make choices each day. When I hear the alarm goes off. I get to make a choice to get up or go back to sleep. Some days the alarm wins; other days the pillow wins.
ReplyDeleteYou are so funny, Quiet!
DeleteSpot on, Jen! One story that inspires me is Gifted Hands, by Dr. Ben Carson. He faced incredible obstacles but overcame them. He's now a famous surgeon.
ReplyDeleteOh, I love that story, too, Susan. Have you seen the movie?
DeleteThank you for sharing this, Jen. Challenges of late have me thinking on this quite a bit, so I appreciate the encouragement!
ReplyDeleteLove and blessings,
Karen
Yes, we must put on God's armor and remember His promises. We are beloved daughters of God, made in His image, to do His good works. If we 'hear' anything less than that, it is not coming from God, and is a LIE. May we live in His truth, choice by choice.
ReplyDeleteHi Jeanette! Well, I feel like grabbing my armor and running out the door! What an uplifting and challenging and encouraging post! I do believe, as you so wonderfully stated, that God wants to use us. Who else does he have?
ReplyDeleteWhy listen to all the silliness of evil? We are beautifully and wonderfully made. So let's make something of it :)
Great post!
Ceil
When I taught school, I would tell my students that they always have a choice. They would say there are some situations where a person doesn't have a choice. I would say, "There may not be a choice you like, but you always have a choice." Thank you for posting this, Jeanette.
ReplyDelete