The Choice That Changes Everything

Praise the Lord, my friend,

Every day, we face choices that show what is really ruling our hearts.

Will we act out of selfishness, frustration, or pride?

Or will we act with love, patience, and self-control, letting God guide our steps?

I notice this especially in my own life when I am challenged or when things do not go the way I hoped.

During those moments, it feels like two voices are fighting inside me.

One wants to react based on my feelings, desires, or sense of fairness.

And the other one wants to respond with God’s Spirit, letting His character shine through even when it is difficult.

Paul talks about this struggle in Galatians 5.

He shows two very different ways to live.

One way is led by the flesh, which is giving in to human impulses and selfish desires.

This is the part of us that produces anger, jealousy, quarrels, selfishness, and other actions that separate us from God and others.

The other way is led by the Spirit, and it leads us to the things listed in Galatians 5:22-23:

Galatians 5:22-23

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law.”

The above words, my friend, are not just a list of nice qualities to admire or acquire.

They are evidence of a heart that is led by God.

When God’s Spirit works in us, He changes the way we respond to the things around us and shapes our hearts from the inside out.

I recently experienced this at a family gathering.

Everyone was taking part in certain secular traditions that I knew I couldn’t join as a follower of Christ.

I was the only believer in the room, and to be honest, it felt like the pressure was pressing in from every side.

I could feel the stares and hear the questions forming before anyone even said a word.

A part of me wanted to just go along to avoid the awkwardness, but deep down I knew I couldn’t.

Hence, I prayed quietly in my heart, asking God to give me courage and peace

And, after some time, I walked away from that gathering knowing it was the Spirit who helped me make that choice.

Many of us have faced moments like that in one way or another.

It may not always look the same, but the pull of the flesh is real for every believer.

Sometimes it appears in the form of societal pressure to fit in.

Other times it comes through the temptation to respond in anger, pride, or fall into lust.

During those moments, we stand at a crossroad in our minds.

One way pulls us toward what feels really easy in the moment.

And, the other calls us to trust the Spirit and walk in obedience to God.

And it’s right there, in that in-between space, that our faith is often tested.

The flesh promises comfort. It tells us that going along with everyone else or reacting how we feel will make things simpler.

But deep down, we know that those choices lead us further away from the peace God gives.

This is why Paul said in Galatians 5:16

Galatians 5:16

“So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.”

You see, the Word of God isn’t telling us to try harder in our own strength but to choose to lean on the Spirit in that very moment when the pull feels strongest.

And, the more we choose the spirit, the more our hearts start to reflect the fruit of the spirit, and impulses of the flesh start to lose control.

So, let us choose and put God in everything we do, no matter how hard things get.

Let’s pray together, my friend:

Lord, thank You for Your Spirit who leads and guides our hearts.

Help me to choose You instead of giving in to fear, pride, or pressure.

Teach me to walk in love, patience, and self-control today, and to trust You in every decision, even the small ones.

Strengthen me when the flesh tries to pull me away and remind me that Your way brings life and peace. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Praise God, my friend,

If you’ve any prayer requests, please feel free to let me know by replying to this email.