Life can be tough!\u00a0 In fact, life isn\u2019t fair.\u00a0 Every one of us, at one time or another, have been sucker punched by life.\u00a0 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.\u00a0 Bad news is never welcome, and can fill us with a sense of hopelessness.<\/p>\n
Too often, we think life is dictated by events of which we have no control.\u00a0 This kind of thinking leads to a victim mentality.\u00a0 We end up wandering through life believing we are held hostage by circumstances, bad luck, or bad genes.<\/p>\n
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.\u00a0 Often,we begin to think we \u201cneed\u201d what they have.\u00a0 If fact, how can we ever live without it?\u00a0 This perspective creates a feeling of being trapped.\u00a0 When we feel trapped in life we can be consumed with jealousy and resentment.\u00a0 Who wants to live like that?<\/p>\n
What if, instead, we could begin to view life as a series of choices?\u00a0 Regardless of the circumstances, we always have a choice of how we are going to respond. Choices determine direction, and direction determines results.\u00a0 When we see life as an opportunity to make choices, we are empowered!<\/p>\n
We have heard it many times, \u201cit\u2019s not what happens to you but how you respond to what happens to you.\u201d\u00a0 When something out of your control happens, make the choice to be positive. \u00a0 Determine in your heart that you are going face the challenge, learn from it and move beyond it.\u00a0 Make a choice to be better rather than bitter.<\/p>\n
The Apostle Paul offered some outstanding advice. \u201cSumming it all up, friends, I\u2019d say you\u2019ll do best by filling your minds and meditating on things true, noble, reputable, authentic, compelling, gracious\u2014the best, not the worst; the beautiful, not the ugly; things to praise, not things to curse.\u201d \u00a0Philippians 4:8 The Message Bible<\/p>\n
It\u2019s a new day.\u00a0 And we have a choice.\u00a0 What will you choose, to be bitter.. or better?<\/p>\n
John Baschieri<\/p>\n
Lead Pastor at New Life<\/p>\n
5146 Leonard Blvd S<\/p>\n
Lehigh, FL\u00a0 33973<\/p>\n