If you are reading this post right now, you have a few options: read it in its entirety, skim it, like it without reading it, leaving a comment, or coming back to it later. No matter what you decide, you definitely have options — not just with regard to this post, but in all areas of your life. I try to remember when someone offers me something that I always have options, and I do my best to choose wisely.
This past week I felt closer to God because of a dilemma I was dealing with that I couldn’t bother to share with anyone but him. It wasn’t one of those life-changing issues that would require a visit to your pastor for advice or a long talk with your mom to make things all better. It was more like being at a traffic light behind a guy who had been driving erratically — playing loud music and bobbing and weaving — literally. Then when the light turns green, he just sits there looking at you in his rear view mirror daring you to move instead of driving. Remember that you have options.
- You could wait patiently until he moves so that you can be on your merry way.
- You could Mean Mug him and make other gestures to get him to move.
- You might even obnoxiously honk your horn as motivation to move.
The bottom line is that you have options. The first option is probably your safest bet. So what if you miss the light since he decided to dart through the intersection at the last second? There needs to be a little space between you, your emotions, and the knucklehead in front of you anyway. Making rude gestures or honking your horn might infuriate the aforementioned knucklehead, leading to an exchange you hadn’t anticipated. Remember that you always have options, so choose wisely.
My dilemma made me angry, and I let the sun go down on my anger for three days. I was stubborn on day one, pointing fingers on day two, and emotionally exhausted on day three. On the following morning, I knelt to pray at 3:00 a.m. as I do each day — thanking God for waking me up and protecting me while I slept. I also asked for his forgiveness for my bratty behavior over the course of three days. Finally, I asked for peace.
When I transitioned from my knees to the kitchen to grab my coffee and iPad, I was eager to open my Bible in a Year reading plan to see what God would reveal that day. These were the verses that were most prominent and so timely:
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. ~Matthew 5:9
Settle matters quickly with your adversary who is taking you to court. Do it while you are still together on the way, or your adversary may hand you over to the judge, and the judge may hand you over to the officer, and you may be thrown into prison. ~Matthew 5:25-26 (NIV)
But I say, if you are even angry with someone, you are subject to judgment! If you call someone an idiot, you are in danger of being brought before the court. ~ Matthew 5:22
Duly noted, Lord. Isn’t he funny and timely? Only when I decided to take this problem to him in prayer did I determine the right option to take. I chose to be a peacemaker and to settle matters quickly. The third option is similar to the third option in the initial scenario, and I definitely didn’t want to make matters worse. I’m so thankful to serve an on-time God who speaks to me in a language I understand.
Have you ever been faced with a problem for which the solution seems out of reach? How did you figure it out? I hope you avoided option three. Scroll down to the comments so we can chat about it.
Prayers for a peaceful day…may blessings abound! <3
Photo: Pixaby
God bless you ! ❤️
God bless you too, Saraa! How’s school?
I have my mid-year exams now till the 27th.
Hopefully it’ll go well and as i expect ☺️
How’s everything with you??
Best wishes on your exams! xoxo All is well with me — just plugging along and attempting to add words to my manuscript. Have a wonderful week! <3
I am on this journey right now. I’m in a very emotionally draining situation and have been very prayerful about it. At first, I fell victim to the second bible verse on adversary where a plan backfired and made things worse. The situation has been elongated now likely because of that. I am fearful of making anymore moves on my end because I am not clear if I’m interfering with God’s will. However, not making a move could leave me trapped in misery or greater problems. It’s making me question whether I’m actually trusting God to provide. Right now, I’m thinking of asking God to make it more plain because I don’t know whether to endure or to act.
I’m so sorry that you’re in this situation and feel trapped. I think you already know the answer to this one. Seek God’s divine intervention. When we intervene or try to “fix” things, we’re really not trusting him to do it in a timely manner. So, we mess things up. The answer is probably a simple one; you just have to listen for God’s answer. Let me know how it goes. You know you always have options. <3
This is very insightful. Thank you for being vulnerable and sharing, Michelle.
Thanks, Kristy. Love and hugs to you and your beautiful family, sweet friend.
I’d love to drive fast. And with my MS drop foot it’s even easier. I also get anxious about the driving habits of other people. And wish I could give them a drivers test to see if they pass. Once, several years ago, a pastor had a line in the sermon that said the way we drive is the way we treat God. Ouch!! I have definitely tried to out run God or bully Him into submission Him at times. I tried to live constantly in tune to His voice. And at times when I’m driving I remember what the pastor said and get very convicted. But that is different than condemnation. The conviction helps me to slow down, not worry about what other drivers are doing, and rest in His peace. I wish I could say I do it all the time. But I certainly don’t. I just try to be better today than I was yesterday.
Honey, I’ve honked and gestured. Please don’t think I’ve been good all the time. 😀 I, too, try to be better than I was yesterday, and in this season of my life, I just need to slow down. Have a wonderful week, Jo Ann! <3
Thanks. I’m in a very similar situation right now. Kind of like you mentioned. It doesn’t require a long walk or a trip to my pastor. I have a choice to trust God or allow fear to overtake me. And like you’ve mentioned; I went to the Word. I’ve taken comfort in the Word. Thanks for sharing!
Thankfully, we’re here to encourage each other. Even encouragers need encouraging. Praying that your week is beautiful! <3
I have been in a similar situation on numerous occasions. Unfortunately, I opted for the mean mug, honking the horn, and giving them the i don’t know what you are doing buddy look and shoulder shrug. There have been times when someone drives insanely unsafe, I get angry. I am so guilty of the verses that you posted. It seems that I have less patience and compassion for people than I used to. Britt Nicole has a great song called, I saw me through your eyes. It is a song that pops up in my mind at times when I struggle with seeing others as Jesus does, when I struggle with seeing myself through Jesus’s eyes.
Are you reading the Bible in One Year through You version?
I do. I also have Go Tandem and Our Daily Bread.
Thanks for the post and for being one of God’s messengers.
We all fall short…trust me, I’ve honked, I’ve gestured, I’ve mean mugged. :/ We’re human. Yes, I’m using You Version again this year, and I’m reading the Purpose Drive Life by Rick Warren. It’s a 40-day transformation type book. You read one chapter each day. This is the year for acting on my growth. Have a wonderful day! <3