In Deuteronomy 30:19, God says, “I have set before you life and death, the blessings and the curses; therefore choose life.” He gives us options, but He wants us to do the choosing. A choice often means we can go the easy way or the hard way. We can go the way we feel like going or we can go the way we know is right. To make a right and a wise choice means we will probably have to discipline ourselves to do something we don’t feel like doing, but know is best.
As the Bible states, discipline doesn’t bring immediate joy, but it does bring lasting joy later on. The enemy is always out to destroy us and he often tries to do that by influencing us to make bad choices-to choose to do what feels good or is easy now, instead of what will be beneficial in the long run. These choices may temporarily satisfy the flesh, but they don’t please God or satisfy us permanently. We should discipline ourselves to make good choices that honor God and His Word. God encourages His children to walk in the Spirit and the way we do that is by choosing to do what we know is right even if it doesn’t feel good. If we know to do right and don’t do it, it is sin (see James 4:17). When Dave and I have a disagreement and the air is filled with tension, I can choose to apologize and do what will restore peace or I can choose to stay angry and wait for him to apologize to me. Is it more important for me to be right or peaceful? I know that it is right for me to make peace and if I don’t, then I am sinning. God is our Vindicator and if I need to be shown to be in the right, He will take care of that, but my part is to honor Him by doing what I know is right according to His Word. God can work out all the details but we need to be makers and maintainers of peace (see Matthew 5:9).
Just last week I had a situation with someone who was acting very badly. She was complaining, showing no appreciation, and being extremely difficult to get along with. We had a few heated words and I left. I hoped she would call and apologize because in reality she was wrong, but she did not call. I remembered that Matthew 5:23–24 says, “So if when you are offering your gift at the altar you there remember that your brother has any [grievance] against you, leave your gift at the altar and go. First make peace with your brother, and then come back and present your gift.” Since God recalled that Scripture to my mind, I realized He was asking me to do what was right even if the other person would not. I called her and asked how she was doing and we chatted a little. I did not apologize because I had not done anything wrong, but I did reach out to her as a way of saying I am not angry at you. My peace returned and I had the satisfaction of knowing that I had obeyed God and the rest was up to Him.
I realize now more than ever that making right choices is the key to a happy life, and keeping our minds on right things is another one. Don’t let your mind wander around and do whatever it pleases. Remember, you have a spirit of discipline and self-control. You have been given a sound mind.
Sometimes, when I am riding down the road looking out the passenger side window while my husband is driving, I realize my mind has drifted or wandered off onto something that is worthless and will not produce anything good in my life. That doesn’t make me a bad person; it just means I have a choice to make. Will I be lazy and let it “drift,” or will I once again discipline myself to stop thinking that wrong thought and find something good and noble to think about?
I mentioned that my mind sometimes wanders in conversations with Dave, but it also happens sometimes when others are speaking and what they are saying really isn’t very interesting to me. It seems to be important to them, but it isn’t to me. My mind begins to drift to thoughts such as, I hope they get this over quickly; I have more important things to do. Or, This is so boring; I will be so glad when I can get out of here. Then, I suddenly remember a message I often preach on love-the one about how one way to demonstrate love is to listen to someone to make him or her feel valuable. I am faced with a choice: do I walk in love and show respect for the person talking to me, or just keep pretending to listen while I have very unloving thoughts?
Are you surprised to learn that these types of things happen to me? I will tell you a secret: they happen to everyone. We are not bad people because bad thoughts come to us but if we don’t resist them, we can become whatever we choose to focus our thoughts on.
The Bible teaches that we have to seek to do good (see 1 Thessalonians 5:15, emphasis mine). Seek means “make an attempt” (Merriam-Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary, Eleventh edition). We also have to seek to think right thoughts. It takes discipline and training, but we can do it. Determine today to set your mind on right things and discipline yourself to keep it set on them and you will enjoy the great and powerful life God has in His mind for you.
Think about It
What will you do in the future when your mind begins to wander?
