“For the Lord gives wisdom, and from His mouth come knowledge and understanding….Then you will understand what is right and just and fair—every good path.” Proverbs 2:6,9

Choices

I’ve been thinking recently about our choices. We make them all the time—dozens a day, hundreds a month, probably millions in our lifetime. Even small choices can have a big impact on our life and our direction.

All the choices we’ve made led to where we find ourselves at this moment in time. When I look back over my life, I can see that God has helped me in my choices. He has used them to prepare me for this season, this journey.

When we’re going through a trial, perhaps a time of sickness or suffering, the choices we make become even more important. They can press us into the Lord, or they can pull us away from Him. I have tried to look at every choice I’ve made on our unexpected journey with that view in mind. I want to be pressed into the Lord as I walk through this season.

It’s so important not to “blame” God for bad things, or hard things, that come our way. We live in a fallen world. Sadly, our lives will be impacted by that fallenness. If we blame God, we can become isolated and close our hearts to His love and help in the hard times.

I have faced so many choices—simple things, and monumentally huge things. I have often felt overwhelmed by the choices. I’ve been so grateful that I can lean into God’s wisdom for my choices. “If any one lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you” (James 1:5). I couldn’t have made it without God’s wisdom and counsel. I have asked family and friends to help me in choices and decisions I’ve had to make, but ultimately, I look to God for wisdom and help.

Over our many years of being married, I had become used to making decisions and choices with Floyd. It has been very unusual to be making decisions without him and for him. God has faithfully stepped in and helped me with those decisions in wonderful ways. I couldn’t have made it alone.

Our choices matter. They are significant. They impact our destiny. And when God sees that our heart is to honor Him, please Him, and stay close to Him—that’s the most important choice we can make! Then He helps us make good and wise decisions.

“Father, You have the answers to all the choices we will face. Because You see the “big picture” of our lives, You can guide us in ways that we don’t understand. When we feel like we just don’t know what choice to make, it gives us security to know that we’re not alone—You are holding our hand and guiding us step by step in every choice we make. Amen.”