Choices
As humans we are all susceptible to making wrong choices. Some may just be a minor set back and others can dictate and even have the potential to ruin the course of a life. Prisons are full of people who have made wrong choices. Perhaps they were led down the wrong path from childhood and the pain of neglect and abuse spiraled into all out anger and hatred. They never developed the ability to see life as God designed it to be lived.
There's so many reasons for making wrong choices. Loneliness can lead to bad relationships, anger leads to unforgiveness and hatred may lead to revenge. As we entertain the thoughts that the enemy begins to taunt us with, it leaves an opening for sin to seep in and ultimately lead us into a path we never should have taken.
I haven't always made the right choices, but as I continue to yield my life to Christ and desire His will above my own, I realize that I make fewer wrong choices than I once did. Yes, we are human and even with the best intentions, we don't always get it right.
One of the many cool things about following after Jesus is... even when we've made the worst choice... one that has the potential to destroy our lives... as we genuinely come to Him in repentance, He loves, forgives, wipes the slate clean and makes all things new! There may still be some earthly consequences to our actions, but He carries us through them with peace in our hearts, then ultimately uses... yes... uses... even our mistakes to touch the world around us. Nothing is ever wasted with God. Those deep dark secrets, the heart wrenching pain and emotional roller coaster.. If given to Him, He will heal those wounds and set you free. But it doesn't stop there, if you'll allow Him, He'll use the pain and mistakes you were delivered from, to set others free!
WHO IS THIS AMAZING GOD WE SERVE!!! JESUS!! Thankfully, nothing we've ever done disqualifies us from His purpose! A humble and repentant heart, filled with love and adoration for God can have a great impact for God's Kingdom, no matter where or how you started out!
There's no choice that you've ever made that's too vile for Him to forgive and use for His glory. The key is a repentant heart, that turns from their sin and seeks after God and His will for their lives. He'll show you what He can do with what once was a mess!
2 Corinthians 7:10-11 (TPT) God designed us to feel remorse over sin in order to produce repentance that leads to victory. This leaves us with no regrets. But the sorrow of the world works death. Can’t you see the good fruit that has come, as God intended, because of your remorse over sin? Now you are eager to do what is right! Look at the indignation you experienced over what happened and how alarmed you became. What holy longing it awakened, what passion for God, and how ready you were to bring justice to the offender. Your response has proved that you are free of blame in this matter.
Psalm 103:8-14 (TPT) Lord, you’re so kind and tenderhearted to those who don’t deserve it and so patient with people who fail you! Your love is like a flooding river overflowing its banks with kindness. You don’t look at us only to find our faults, just so that you can hold a grudge against us. You may discipline us for our many sins, but never as much as we really deserve. Nor do you get even with us for what we’ve done. Higher than the highest heavens—that’s how high your tender mercy extends! Greater than the grandeur of heaven above is the greatness of your loyal love, towering over all who fear you and bow down before you! Farther than from a sunrise to a sunset—that’s how far you’ve removed our guilt from us. The same way a loving father feels toward his children—that’s but a sample of your tender feelings toward us, your beloved children, who live in awe of you. You know all about us, inside and out. You are mindful that we’re made from dust.
