Choose Wisely
Laura and I are custodians of a home and shop in Big Lake. I drove out there this week intending to store our Christmas tree and some spare tires and pick up a snowmachine. After snowing more than 2 feet earlier this month, it rained hard last week. The huge double garage door to the shop was frozen shut with over half inch of ice at the bottom. I had a torch to try to melt the ice, but I couldn't get too close to the fiberglass door without ruining it. I had anticipated being there 10 or 15 minutes.
Over an hour later, I had finally melted away enough ice to get a bread knife between the concrete and the bottom of the double door and begin to 'saw' my way across. After 2 hours of hard work, I finally got the door open. Things don't always work out according to plans, do they? Even so, God tells us that it is wise to make plans. It is wise to think ahead. But here's the deal- we must always be ready to make adjustments based upon unforeseen circumstances.
We can't allow difficulties to derail our thinking or emotions. There is no room in the Christian life for adult temper tantrums or surly attitudes. God says that to state our plans as though they are carved in stone is boastful. In James 4:15 He tells us, "Instead you ought to say, 'If the Lord wills we will live and do this or that.'" Let's be real. Life is a continuous series of interruptions to our plans, yet somehow it seems to always surprise us!
Friends, self-control is a great virtue. You CHOOSE your attitude. You CHOOSE to shake your head and smile rather than curse. You CHOOSE to chuckle to yourself rather than have an outburst of anger. You can CHOOSE to give thanks in all circumstances. Choose wisely, and you will be blessed! -Pastor Brad
Written on January 23, 2026
Posted in Daily Devotions