Did you count them? Your choices, I mean. Are you surprised at how many you make and how those choices affect others?

If you came over today from Encouragement for Today, welcome! I’m so glad you are here.

What do you do when you hit a choice point?

Sometimes I have failed in those choice points, and those failures have become a teacher. This is what I have learned.

First, step back.

The other day a friend of mine rushed at me with open arms. I hadn’t seen her in several days, and I playfully drew my leg and arms into a Karate-kid style posture in defense.

We had a great laugh, but honestly there are times that I feel someone “rushing at me” in a less positive way and I do the same thing emotionally.

Stepping back for a moment helps us to let the defensive instincts settle down. If my instinct is to lash out or say something I’ll regret, I’ve given that instict pause.

Second, believe the best.

Have you ever said something because you were rushed, hurting from something else, or just flat out spilled out your words without thinking? I have.

Believing the best means that we give some depth to the situation. We look past the words or the action to the person beneath. It means we offer a little grace, the same grace we hope to receive when the words come out all wrong.

Third, ask for wisdom.

God offers it, willingly.

Behold, You desire truth in the inner being; make me therefore to know wisdom in my inmost heart. Psalm 51:6

If any of you is deficient in wisdom, let him ask of the giving God [Who gives] to everyone liberally and ungrudgingly, without reproaching or faultfinding, and it will be given him. James 1: 5

We aren’t without help in our choice points. We can go with feelings and rash reactions and come unglued, or we can invite our Heavenly Father into the situation, and into the relationship.

Last, make amends.

If the choice you made is the choice you wish you hadn’t, there is power in a sincere apology. Make amends, which is to offer more than just words. It is to repair the rift you created in the moment.

 

Have you ever struggled with making the wrong choice? Sure, we all have! That’s why I love Lysa TerKeurst’s newest book. Unglued.

My beautiful friend, Lysa, has offered to give away one copy of her new book to one of you today. Just share your struggle or what you learned in the Choice Points, and we’ll choose one lucky winner. I’ll announce the winner on Monday! Take a look at the great new trailer for Unglued!