Choices or Consequences
In life we all have choices and all choices have consequences. Good choices then there will hopefully be good consequences. Unfortunately life is not a dependable slot machine that what goes in comes out. Oh, how we all wish life was that easy. It doesn’t even work in laboratories with rats because sometimes the rat just doesn’t get it right, he got distracted, he was hungry, and he was frightened so he went the wrong way.
There are four different what I call coping mechanisms we can turn to. They are Avoider, Blamers, Controllers, Protector. The avoider will avoid all circumstances at all cost to keep them safe from harm. The blamer will make the choice to blame others for whatever has occurred. The bad thing is since it is everyone else’s fault then the one that is blaming never learns anything. Controllers try to keep everything perfect. They attempt to keep everyone and everything perfect so no one will know that things are not perfect. Finally the protector is he or she that takes the responsibility to protect everyone else around them including themselves. The will do anything to protect themselves from others and so no one really gets to get in, or get to know these personality types.
Have you recognized yourself in any of the above? Can you see others fitting into these four coping mechanisms? As humans we are created to protect ourselves and most of the time to protect others. Choose today to try something different. Stop and think for a moment and realize that you are free. The devil is a liar. You are free to make choices and all choices will have consequences. God wants what is best for us. Jesus died for us. Jesus did not die so we could live in fear and control. Remember the ole song, “God is in Control?” Then let’s let Him have control.
Here is the scripture to help you throughout your day:
1 Peter 2:11-2511 Dear friends, I urge you, as foreigners and exiles, to abstain from sinful desires, which wage war against your soul.12 Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us.13 Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every human authority: whether to the emperor, as the supreme authority,14 or to governors, who are sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to commend those who do right.15 For it is God’s will that by doing good you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish people.16 Live as free people, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as God’s slaves.17 Show proper respect to everyone, love the family of believers, fear God, honor the emperor.18 Slaves, in reverent fear of God submit yourselves to your masters, not only to those who are good and considerate, but also to those who are harsh.19 For it is commendable if someone bears up under the pain of unjust suffering because they are conscious of God.20 But how is it to your credit if you receive a beating for doing wrong and endure it? But if you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable before God.21 To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps.22“He committed no sin ,and no deceit was found in his mouth.”23 When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly.24 “He himself bore our sins” in his body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; “by his wounds you have been healed.”25 For “you were like sheep going astray,” but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.
In life we all have choices and all choices have consequences. Good choices then there will hopefully be good consequences. Unfortunately life is not a dependable slot machine that what goes in comes out. Oh, how we all wish life was that easy. It doesn’t even work in laboratories with rats because sometimes the rat just doesn’t get it right, he got distracted, he was hungry, and he was frightened so he went the wrong way.
There are four different what I call coping mechanisms we can turn to. They are Avoider, Blamers, Controllers, Protector. The avoider will avoid all circumstances at all cost to keep them safe from harm. The blamer will make the choice to blame others for whatever has occurred. The bad thing is since it is everyone else’s fault then the one that is blaming never learns anything. Controllers try to keep everything perfect. They attempt to keep everyone and everything perfect so no one will know that things are not perfect. Finally the protector is he or she that takes the responsibility to protect everyone else around them including themselves. The will do anything to protect themselves from others and so no one really gets to get in, or get to know these personality types.
Have you recognized yourself in any of the above? Can you see others fitting into these four coping mechanisms? As humans we are created to protect ourselves and most of the time to protect others. Choose today to try something different. Stop and think for a moment and realize that you are free. The devil is a liar. You are free to make choices and all choices will have consequences. God wants what is best for us. Jesus died for us. Jesus did not die so we could live in fear and control. Remember the ole song, “God is in Control?” Then let’s let Him have control.
Here is the scripture to help you throughout your day:
1 Peter 2:11-2511 Dear friends, I urge you, as foreigners and exiles, to abstain from sinful desires, which wage war against your soul.12 Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us.13 Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every human authority: whether to the emperor, as the supreme authority,14 or to governors, who are sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to commend those who do right.15 For it is God’s will that by doing good you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish people.16 Live as free people, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as God’s slaves.17 Show proper respect to everyone, love the family of believers, fear God, honor the emperor.18 Slaves, in reverent fear of God submit yourselves to your masters, not only to those who are good and considerate, but also to those who are harsh.19 For it is commendable if someone bears up under the pain of unjust suffering because they are conscious of God.20 But how is it to your credit if you receive a beating for doing wrong and endure it? But if you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable before God.21 To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps.22“He committed no sin ,and no deceit was found in his mouth.”23 When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly.24 “He himself bore our sins” in his body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; “by his wounds you have been healed.”25 For “you were like sheep going astray,” but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.
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