“A Hard Choice”
How to make the BEST choice among many GOOD ones

“I choose what is best…” is the first part of our declaration this season. But how do I choose what is best when all the choices seem so good?

In Chapter 2 of The Choice: Black or White, Giselle wishes she could join the drama team AND earn $1200 helping Ziggy with Bozo. Mr. Craig reminds her, “You can only be in one place at a time!” Giselle struggles with her decision as she talks it through with her parents. They help her step back from her feelings, think carefully about the choice, and ask “what does God think?” Giselle’s Dad challenges her. “Either choice will require a commitment from you. A commitment is an agreement with yourself to do what you said you would do to the best of your ability until it’s over. Don’t commit to something unless you intend to finish it.”

How Do I Make the Best Decision?

Part of learning about commitment is learning how to make good choices. Whether making decisions for yourself or helping your children to wade through the number of choices they are presented with, consider these five points. They will get you thinking and hopefully guide you down the path to making the best possible choice.

1. Seek wisdom from the wise!
Parents, teachers, pastors, those who have “been there” are all potential candidates to help you think through the decision making process. They will ask questions you may never have thought of by yourself.

2. Set feelings aside and be as objective as possible.
Emotions are not good or bad, but they exert a powerful influence that can blind us and even cause us to think irrationally. Good counsel can help bring us back to the reality of the nitty gritty required to carry out the commitment. Giselle’s dad described feelings in this way:

“Feelings alone will never help you make good decisions. Feelings are kind of like being inside a dream. You may feel super happy or terribly frightened while you’re having one, but once you wake up, you don’t let the dream decide how you’ll spend your day. You know it’s not real. So let’s wake you up to reality, set your feelings aside, and go through some steps that will help you make the best choice.”

3. Get God’s perspective!
Some decisions can be made in a few seconds once we have God’s view on the matter. For instance, what if you have the opportunity to engage in a business partnership which would result in a significant pay increase, far less hours away from home and family, and full retirement benefits? It all looks fantastic – until you read what God says; “Do not become partners with those who do not believe, for what partnership is there between righteousness and lawlessness, or what fellowship does light have with darkness?” [2 Corinthians 6:14 NET]
You know this new partner is not a follower of Christ and though his pursuits to gain wealth have resulted in total financial freedom, his desire to use his wealth to serve and care for others is nominal – tax purposes only. Your goals are completely opposite. God is clear how we are to use our money. ‘Tell them to use their money to do good. They should be rich in good works and generous to those in need, always being ready to share with others.” [1 Timothy 6:18]  Suddenly, the choice is clear! Always seek God’s truth!

4. What will you need to sacrifice?
Time? Money? Relationships? You can’t do it all! Something has to give…what will it be?

5. How will you be different at the end of the commitment?
Do the sacrifices you need to make equal the gains you anticipate? Think future. Be as specific as possible when you consider the end product. Will you be a better person, more Christ-like in character? How will your relationship with your family improve? Who will you bless along the way?

Remember: Rash decisions may lead to hazardous collisions! 

Luke 14:31-33 [emphasis added] “Or suppose a king is about to go to war against another king. Won’t he first sit down and consider whether he is able with ten thousand men to oppose the one coming against him with twenty thousand? If he is not able, he will send a delegation while the other is still a long way off and will ask for terms of peace. In the same way, those of you who do not give up everything you have cannot be my disciples.”

Take the time to consider all the good options, then follow these guidelines and you’ll be on your way to making the best choice!

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Since our founding, Emeth has been committed to providing an environment where kids not only learn excellent gymnasts, but also grow in character. A combination of physical, moral, spiritual and relational health will create young people ready to serve in any capacity God has called them to. Our character training program focuses on a specific quality for 12 weeks, giving ample time for development and practice. You can listen to both the Junior and Senior stories about commitment and see the curriculum we use at THIS LINK.