The Choice Is Yours

"We can respond to the difficulties of life by raising a clenched fist or on a bended knee; you choose." -Kenton Beshore pastor of Mariners Church Irvine California.

Philippians 4:11 NKJV - "For I do not speak in regard to need for whatever circumstances I am I have learned to be content."

In 1997 there were two deaths that people may remember, Princess Diana and Mother Teresa. There was another death that hardly received any notice and it was that of Austrian Psychiatrist Viktor Frankl who died at the age of 93. Frankl was put in prison at Auschwitz where he became a common laborer not a noted Doctor. He was there a prisoner of the German army and over the the time he spent there he watched most of his family die (father, mother, brother, and wife). The Nazi's destroyed all of his life long research filled with many journals. Through all this Frankl learned that you can take all but 1 thing from people, the last of human freedoms and that is the ability for one to choose their attitude in any given circumstance. You can't choose your circumstance in life but you can choose your attitude and for many of us it starts with "Focus". What are you focusing on when you're in a bad mood? Are those thoughts resourceful or productive? Are you thinking about what "you" can and can't do as opposed to what Jesus can do?

Have you ever played with a guy who has limited talent and nobody would ever look at them or watch them play and mistake them for an athlete yet this person balls out? A hitter who just seems to get hits, a pitcher who just seems to get outs, a forward who seems to grab rebounds and make enough shots that the game is over and he is 10 pts & 10 rbs every night, Tebow, etc...? I think what allows them to get it done is belief. They are focusing on what can be, their physiology exudes confidence, and the meaning behind their opportunity is "another chance for me to dominate". In the Christian scene we can put more power behind that meaning by applying Jesus; "another opportunity for me to see Jesus do something amazing in me". At that point we're free to dream.

Take a moment to clear out your mind of your cloudy unproductive thoughts, now with a clear canvas dream about what amazing thing God can do in your current circumstances. Write it down, remind yourself of this daily, see it happening, enjoy it as if it was destiny. Now go live in pursuit of that accomplishment offering your effort up to the Lord to glorify Him. Praise Him everyday for the opportunity to chase down that thing that you want. This will truly help us to be excited and have joy in our circumstances which will help us reflect Jesus each day.

Note - the things you want should have a strong root of purpose and reason, wanting money or fame just because isn't going to work for you. However really finding a purpose that God can use behind these wants can work. Example - wanting to make an extra 20k a year so you can adopt and support an orphan.

- Ben Julianel