Life can be tough! In fact, life isn’t fair. Every one of us, at one time or another, have been sucker punched by life. For instance, the loss of a job or the bad report from the doctor. That phone call delivering the news of the passing of a loved one. Bad news is never welcome, and can fill us with a sense of hopelessness.
Too often, we think life is dictated by events of which we have no control. This kind of thinking leads to a victim mentality. We end up wandering through life believing we are held hostage by circumstances, bad luck, or bad genes.
Unless you live on another planet, sooner or later, you will look over the preverbal fence of your neighbor and wish you had what he/she has. Often,we begin to think we “need” what they have. If fact, how can we ever live without it? This perspective creates a feeling of being trapped. When we feel trapped in life we can be consumed with jealousy and resentment. Who wants to live like that?
What if, instead, we could begin to view life as a series of choices? Regardless of the circumstances, we always have a choice of how we are going to respond. Choices determine direction, and direction determines results. When we see life as an opportunity to make choices, we are empowered!
We have heard it many times, “it’s not what happens to you but how you respond to what happens to you.” When something out of your control happens, make the choice to be positive. Determine in your heart that you are going face the challenge, learn from it and move beyond it. Make a choice to be better rather than bitter.
The Apostle Paul offered some outstanding advice. “Summing it all up, friends, I’d say you’ll do best by filling your minds and meditating on things true, noble, reputable, authentic, compelling, gracious—the best, not the worst; the beautiful, not the ugly; things to praise, not things to curse.” Philippians 4:8 The Message Bible
It’s a new day. And we have a choice. What will you choose, to be bitter.. or better?
John Baschieri
Lead Pastor at New Life
5146 Leonard Blvd S
Lehigh, FL 33973