January 22 Thought for the day.....making the right choice

As I counsel people, I am surprised by what they are willing to tolerate. The choices we make create a life of joy or misery. John Maxwell, Christian author, and life coach puts it this way, "Whether you are a success or a failure in life has little to do with your circumstances and a lot to do with your choices." Most of the time, these choices are in our hands. Paul talks about that in

Romans 12:9

"Abhor what is evil; cling to what is good."

We have to be careful what we allow into our hearts, minds, and ears. Images are formed very quickly. An opinion of a person can be changed overnight by listening to gossip. Our hearts can be damaged by allowing something false to be believed, but stay alive in our hearts. Listening or watching something on TV, radio, or in person that is not uplifting can damage our point of view, a person's reputation in our minds. It is human nature to be drawn to the tragic, the negative, and that juicy morsel of gossip. The Holy Spirit through Paul is telling us don't go there!

The word translated "abhor" means to have an intense dislike for something, so much so that you can't stand to be around it and you totally back away. What is it that we should have this intense dislike for? Evil! The word means anything that is full of destruction, harm, or disaster for our physical bodies, spirit, our minds.

Often we recognize when there is an issue with our bodies that require our attention, and we immediately attend to it. But when gossip, greed, fear, anger, prejudice, or lust creep in we tolerate it more freely than something that attacks the body. We feel free to enjoy the gossip, watch and listen to things that are not noble, good, or lovely and it sinks into our spirits, and we can't get it out of our minds. Physical sickness is normally easily handled, but the sickness of the soul and spirit does more damage for a longer period of time. What is the answer?

"Cling to what is good!" The word translated cling means to so strongly be connected that nothing can separate you, to be glued or cemented together in such a way that it is impossible to separate. So what is good? It is anything that is good, beneficial, and a blessing to you, something that builds you up and makes you more like your heavenly Father.

These are our choices! Think as you listen to someone, watch something on TV or your computer, or listen to something is it good or evil? Do I really want this affecting my body, soul, and spirit? Your choice! Whatever you choose it will affect you for a long time. Learn to make the right choice!