The Way To Respond
We can’t always determine what happens TO us, but we can decide how we respond.
Reference: The Lord was with Jehoshaphat because he followed the ways of his father David before him. He did not consult the Baals (2 Chronicles 17:3 NIV)
Explore: There are lots of things that happen TO us in life. A boss can give us an unreasonable workload, a friend can stand us up for a date, or a terminal illness can take a loved one away from us. We can’t always determine what happens TO us, but we can decide how we respond.
We can be passive aggressive, we can complain loudly, we can sulk or we can be proactive. Whatever we decide will determine our future.
It’s certainly not always easy to respond in the best possible way, but it is our reaction that we are solely responsible for.
Application: When King Jehoshaphat started leading Judah there were many things that he inherited. There were enemies, rituals and historic ceremonies that would have been passed down to him, yet he was strong enough to pave his own way.
He decided to rely solely on the Lord and take away the worship places for the other gods. King David had done the same, but there were much closer ancestors who had taken a different path.
Jehoshaphat’s decision shows that we all have the choice to bring God into our lives, and even the lives of others. Our closest friends and family may choose to take different paths, but we are called to make our own choice.
May we not decide brashly or flippantly when it comes to making decisions that will impact our eternity.
Prayer: God, You give us everything we could ever need, yet so often we turn away from You. May we not be foolish as to act so rashly, but understand the eternal impact each of our choices can have. Amen.
What choices are you making for your faith today?
This article was written by Linda Bailey
Linda started theological studies in 1999 in Australia. After working for ten years in various church ministries, she now works as the breakfast producer at 89.9 LightFM - the Christian radio station in Melbourne, Australia. She writes blogs every day about passages she is currently reading in the Bible. Follow her on Google Plus +Linda Bailey or Facebook by clicking the like button on the right of this page.