The Power of Choice – 4

The Christian Working Woman

(Presented by Lisa Bishop) A few years ago, I was sitting in a coffee shop and there was a pen on the table that read, “Choose the pain of discipline over the pain of regret.” I think it was marketing a weight loss program but isn’t that a powerful statement that can apply to just about anything in life? The choices you make today will impact your tomorrow. And while the decisions and actions you choose today may be hard and require all of the strength, determination and willpower you can muster, they will ultimately lead to your future. Will you choose the pain of discipline over the pain of regret? All too often you can sell out to the pleasure of today and be left to deal with the consequences of your choices. It reminds me of one of my favorite verses, 1 Corinthians 10:13: “No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.” Life will have its fair share of temptations. Whether it’s the temptation to lash out at your spouse, get angry in traffic, fall back on your word, or flirt with a married coworker. The temptation to fail to follow-through on a project or forgo your healthy eating and workout plan because binging on Netflix or a bag of potato chips just seems more satisfying in the moment. Now let me be clear, I have been known to binge on potato chips so you are not alone. The point is, we all have desired outcomes for our marriage, our careers, our relationships, our physical, mental, and spiritual health. Achieving the things you say you want will require sacrifice. Becoming the person God created you to be will require you to overcome temptations rather than choosing to let them overcome you. You will need to exchange the pursuit of instant gratification for the pain of discipline. Jesus will help you to master self-control rather than be mastered by lack of it. Don’t think you are going to be able to endure a temptation when you are in the heat of it without a plan of escape. Making decisions in advance of temptations is critical. Avoid temptation when you can so you don’t get caught up in it. Don’t put yourself in situations that will lure you into compromise. And remember that when you are tempted, not if, when, God will also provide a way out. He gives you the strength and the will to choose to endure the pull of the temptation, to bear the weight of it but not be weighed down by it! Where is discipline lacking in your life? What new life-giving choices will you create in this new year? Choose the pain of discipline now over the pain of regret later.