I Have A Choice!

Choice, according to Dictionary.com, is an act or instance of choosing; making a selection. It is also having the right, power, or opportunity to choose; having options.

Based on this definition, when someone says, "I had no choice." are they really saying there were absolutely no other options or selections available to choose from? Or are they saying their power or right to make a selection was taken from them, hindered in some way or not allowed?

The latter is probable.

There will be times when the options you'd prefer to make are hindered by people, protocol or circumstance or your choice can be taken away by authority. The first part of the definition, however, cannot be taken away because it is a gift. God gave us the gift of being able to choose. He doesn't strong-arm us into any selection. Will the Lord share the benefits of one choice over the other? Sure He will. He'll even prompt us, give us strong hints! But He will always leave space for you to make a decision.

Recently, I asked the Lord about some the poor food choices I had been making. I'd tell myself what was the right choice to make and still default to what tasted good! The crazy thing is, it wasn't like I was making a choice between a slice of cake and a bowl of grass. My ideal food choices were not only good for me but they tasted good too. It would have been easy and pleasurable to make the right choice. My problem was, even in my good food choices, I often overindulged. So, I prayed for temperance. Obviously, I had to be lacking in this spiritual fruit AND since temperance is a fruit of the Spirit, I didn't have to manufacture it! The Lord would do all the work! God allowed me to rest in that conclusion for a moment and then He challenged it with a statement:

"Temperance is a choice"

I tilted my head. What?  "Temperance" The Lord continued, "Is a choice you decide to make. Once you've made the choice to be temperate in your food choices; I will empower you by My Spirit to maintain that choice. Decide ahead of time what you will eat or not eat and how much. Stick to the portion size or less but not more. Make a choice to do this. NOTHING JUST HAPPENS!

Any excuses I was going to offer died on my lips. It was MY choice. The ball was in my court. I could throw a fit and have a tantrum or I could strategically plan my next move. My reality check here was that a choice is a type of boundary that I set for myself but instead of restraining me; it liberates me to do better! I don't have to settle for less than the best choice for myself. After that settled in my spirit, I grabbed my pen to jot down the next few pieces of wisdom the Lord dispensed on choices:

• Don't take away (hijack) someone else's choice but don't allow anyone to hijack yours either

• Choices can be delayed. Don't be pushed into a choice

• When a choice needs to be made quickly; focus on the objective of the choice. What do you want the end result to be?

• The only choice that doesn't need to be thought about before you make it is... the choice you've already thought about!

• Choices made without thought are often choices later regretted

As always, the Lord allowed me to summarize the lesson in my own words…

My old mindset of making choices was, I didn’t like making choices when all the choices looked good! Too many good choices overwhelmed me and I defaulted to a choice that wasn’t always in my best interest. Moving forward, I will consider what I want as an end result and make choices that best support that result. If there is more than one good choice, I can choose to make one choice now and the other choice later. Too much of even a good thing; is not good. I choose to be temperate. I have a choice!