Choose and Refuse

“Today I have given you the CHOICE between life and death, between blessings and curses. Now I call on heaven and earth to witness the choice you make. Oh, that you would CHOOSE LIFE, so that you and your descendants might live! Deuteronomy 30:19 (emphasis mine)

We all have choices don’t we?

Too many when it comes to laundry soap or paint colors if you ask me. But in this life, in each moment we breathe, we have a choice set before us.

We must choose and refuse.

What?

We must choose life and refuse death.

Words.

Interactions.

Attitudes.

Real life.

Apply this to your own words, interactions, and attitudes you choose to exhibit.

But I’m really thinking about our reaction to others’ words, interactions, and attitudes.

When reacting to hurtful words, choose and refuse.

Meaning, choose life as refraining from participating in that talk and refuse to take those words to your heart.

When reacting to painful interactions, choose and refuse.

Meaning, choose life as walking quietly away and refusing to react in anger which steals your peace.

When reacting to unpleasant attitudes, choose and refuse.

Meaning, choose life as not taking on that horrid attitude and refuse to let others bring your down.

Real life is so real, isn’t it?

Words, interactions, and moods will sneak up on you in any conversation.

Through you or through someone else.

So you must be ready.

Like a firefighter.

To choose and refuse at any moment.

Takes practice.

If you find yourself going down the wrong path, beginning to stink like your friend’s words, choose and refuse.

You can do that anytime, even if you’ve already begun to fall.

Choose and refuse.

And remember, none of this moves me.

Photos by Jon Tyson, Vladislav Babienko, and Letizia Bordoni on Unsplash

Stepping Into Life

I call heaven and earth to witness against you today, that I have set before you LIFE and DEATH, BLESSING and CURSE.  Therefore choose life, that you and your offspring may live, loving the Lord your God, obeying His voice and holding fast to Him, for He is your life and length of days. Deuteronomy 30:19-20

Are you ever amazed at the ugliness inside?

At the emotions that pour out of your heart from nowhere?

Where on earth did that come from?

Is that me?

Am I really that selfish?

Am I really that insecure?

Jealous?

Nothing like real life to keep you humble!

We’re so not perfect.

Far from it.

But with Jesus, we can choose life.

Whenever ugly emotions rise up, you can choose to fling them off.

To step onto the other side, grinning from ear to ear.

The devil wants you to be grumpy.

He wants you to dwell in the past or whatever bothers you.

He wants to keep you there.

Stuck.

Why?

Because then you’re useless.

And you’ll sink others down along with you.

angry-girl

But when you choose life, Jesus lifts you up.

Those ugly emotions evaporate.

I see it in others, and yes, in myself too.

Part of living for God is allowing Him to work through you.

To change you.

To be a witness.

And to give you fullness of life.

Allow Him to pour His living water over you, changing you from the inside out.

He’ll do His part as long as you do yours.

Ask Him to help you choose life.

You’ll need to do this often, but He’ll help you.

Guaranteed.

Photos by Siora Photography on Unsplash Photo by Jan Kopřiva on Unsplash