Tuesday, September 20, 2011

How To Choose A Path

Walking down a path ... a path of choice. Each day a choice to be led by the spirit or by my emotions. Step by step, learning the difference between the two, sharing what I'm learning along the journey.

No blame game. I cannot shift the focus and lash out. I must take responsibility for the paths I have walked down, the paths I have chosen to trod. I know it's not the norm. Blaming parents, God, circumstances seems so much easier. Ultimately the facade of ease and blame lulls me right back into the prison. A prison locked tight by uncontrolled emotions.

"When tempted, no one should say, "God is tempting me." For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; but each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed." -James 1:13-14

Straight up, there it is. Our own evil desires drag us away. When my uncontrolled emotions lead my choices, my behavior, they pull me away from the path my God has for me. No place to blame. No reason to blame. The path I'm on, I chose it. Good news though, if it's not the path I need to be on, I can choose another.

I determine which path my emotions take. Woohoo! Doing a little happy dance. Don't you see, I can choose. When I blow it and meet Mrs. Grump, I can stop right there, standing on the path. I can choose to hop to another one and skip along. I'm not bound by the thistles along the paths, the circumstances that line the day. I make the decision and determine the path of my emotions.

I can choose to
"Set my affection on things above, not on things on the earth." Colossians 3:2

And with each choice I make, choosing to set my emotions on Kingdom good stuff, the earthy icky fades away. I'm choosing a path that leads to a beautiful today and doesn't kick up dust on others around me.

6 comments:

Amy said...

When I first realized that those emotions are something I can put away and choose to follow the Spirit instead it was a major light bulb moment in my life. I really needed a gentle reminder of this fact. Thanks so much for sharing!

Unknown said...

Hugs my precious friend - choosing the dust free path with you!

Love you xoxo

Anonymous said...

Hi Sarah - I am someone who often responds emotionally first and trying to 'remember' on the spot to choose truth over emotion is my challenge. And one I intend to overcome.
Great post
God bless
Tracy

Glenda said...

Oh my!! This is good stuff . . . truths that can set us free!! God has gifted you with an awesome ability to write and encourage others.

Denise said...

This is a great reminder Sarah;
When we do stray, our purpose is to return to God, and to live a life based on love. The balance between always doing God's work, and walking in his way is the stairway to heaven! :)

I love Martin Luther King’s quote; "You don't have to see the whole staircase, just take the first step. And then take a step on it and then another step, one step at a time. One can walk over the highest of mountain peaks by taking one small step at a time one after the other. That's all it takes one step at a time, and one day at a time."

Blessings and love! :)
Denise

Erin said...

Sara,
Sometimes I am so dismayed when I look back at a wrong path I have taken. He's so good to walk along with us, if we allow Him, and slowly help us get back to that straight path! Thank you for this word today!!
Blessings,
~Erin