I have a question for you today: Who determines your choices? I know you’ll give the easy answer that you make your own choices. Of course you determine your own choices. But let me refine my question a little further. Who, or what, influences how you make your choices?

Here are a few negative possibilities which may influence your answer.

• Culture. If you are paying any attention at all to what is going on in society you will see that lots of decisions and choices are being made because it seems like the “in” thing to do. I am constantly amazed at how movie stars and athletes seem to influence the attitudes and opinions of people they don’t even know exist!
• Peer pressure. Sure, you want to fit in. You don’t want to look like a dork in front of your friends and even some strangers. It is too easy to make choices with no other reason than to avoid that “dorkiness”.
• Self-satisfaction. Here we are getting into more personal territory. Often we make choices for no other reason than to feel good. We choose ice cream just because we want it right then, not because it is a healthy choice. Or, we choose lust for no other reason than the temporary satisfaction it brings. Maybe we choose gossip just because right in that moment we hope to make ourselves feel better than someone else.

But here’s something else that I have learned along the way: Our choices should be being made on the basis of where they are taking us, not on the basis of immediate gratification or comparing ourselves to others. Let me make it simple: our choices should be being made to draw us closer to God. Doesn’t the Bible tell us that we are to be like Christ? Check out Romans 8.29, Philippians 2.5-8, Ephesians 5.1-2.

Do you know what self-aggrandizement means? It means inflating your own importance, being condescending toward others. Some synonyms might include being on an ego trip, being a braggart, mostly the opposite of humility. Be careful about your choices. If we are going to be like Christ, then it will naturally follow that we avoid self-aggrandizement and tilt toward humility.

This requires an element of strength within you. It takes some determination to avoid giving in to culture, peer pressure and seeking self-satisfaction. And it takes faith to believe that God will honor the choices that you make toward humility and Christ-likeness. People around me will not be surprised to see the title and theme of this blog. Choice is my favorite word when it comes to teaching and counseling settings. Give this some serious consideration today because you are already making choices.

Make the right ones!

Chuck Phillips

Life Choices Christian Counseling,LLC

Licensed Christian Pastoral Counselor, N.C.C.A.

Board Certified Professional Life Coach, I.B.C.C.

LifeChoicesCLC.Com LifeChoicesCLC@gmail.com

573-280-5093