The thing we call time carries us through life’s events. Life started with the even humans call birth. Ordinarily, routine events fill our days: meals, conversations, buying groceries, attending church.
On the other hand, many unexpected and unpleasant events muscle their way into our lives. You don’t choose these. In fact, you don’t even want them. Nevertheless, they come.
You can’t choose life’s events, but you always choose the effect they exert upon you! Each event brings about a consequence, the consequence we select. We can’t blame events for doing bad things to us. We must take personal responsibility for the effect.
When a city in New Testament times refused to welcome Jesus, his apostles angrily desired to destroy it. They chose anger for themselves. Jesus merely ignored the rejection and calmly walked to another city. He chose peace for himself. In the same way, you possess the power to choose what each life-event produces in you.
When life treats you unkindly, believe that God causes everything to work out for your good. When people treat you
inconsiderately, choose to ask God’s blessings upon them. When people disappoint you, choose to keep your mental focus on the Lord. When you disappoint yourself, choose to trust God’s mercy and love.
Let’s show events that they can’t push us around! Let’s show them who’s boss. Let’s choose only Christ-pleasing, God-rejoicing effects. Then, we’ll go on from strength to strength, from victory to victory!
What a great word