TUESDAY When it comes to choices that matter, there are two main categories these fall into—matters of preference (what college you go to, which job you take, what house you’ll buy) and those that are a matter of right and wrong (whether you’ll talk about someone behind his or her back, watch that R-rated movie or read “that” book, or attend that party you know won’t be good). Sometimes these two kinds of choices can overlap, meaning even our preferences, if chosen unwisely, can lead us to places we don’t want to go. Making good choices is hard! As a matter of fact, on our own we’ll probably fail. The good news is if we ask God, He WILL deliver! See Matthew 7:7-8.
WEDNESDAY We tend to think of our choices as very personal things. Decisions that affect us and us alone. This is where we’re wrong! Our choices are never just about us. They impact other people, too! They can heal...or hurt, help...or hinder, inspire…or disappoint, bring hope...or discourage. Whether we realize it or not, people are watching us, depending on us, and learning from us every day. Think about your life and some of the choices you’re making today (or this week). Are these choices leading others toward a life that honors God or away from Him? Check out I Timothy 4:12. Do you care enough to change if it means helping someone else to know God or grow in Him?
THURSDAY We all make mistakes, right? Sometimes we slip into wrong choices “accidentally” (we’re just at the wrong place at the wrong time), and sometimes we know what we’re doing is wrong and choose to go on, full steam ahead. But whether sin is something we just kind of “fall into” or something we knowingly choose, making it right requires a choice. Choosing not to allow ourselves to get caught in “that situation” again...choosing to handle things differently next time...choosing not to give in to pressure to do something we know is wrong. Even the tiniest bad decision can lead you to places you never thought you’d go. But when we are weak, we can trust the One who’s strong! Read I Peter 5:8-11.
FRIDAY With so many different choices out there—and some of them just a matter of preference— how do you know what’s right for your life? Good question! Although this can seem complicated at times, the answer is really pretty simple. When making choices, big and small, ask yourself, “Does this choice fit with God’s plan for my life?” Not sure what God’s plan is? It can take many forms, but bottom line this is pretty simple, too: to make you more and more like His Son Jesus Christ. So ask yourself, “Will doing this, going here, saying this, etc., etc. make me more or less like Jesus?” Check out Paul’s advice in Romans 12:2.
SATURDAY If we want to be more like Jesus, we need to know more about Him, right? This means we have to spend time with Him, just like we would take the time to listen and learn from a trusted friend. Take the time to read your Bible and pray. Make David’s prayer in Psalm 86:11 the prayer of your heart, too, and watch what a difference it makes in the choices you make every day.