Romans 8:5
Sin’s symptoms are sponsored by the senses, a mind dominated by the sensual. Thoughts betray source; spirit life attracts spirit thoughts. (Mirror Bible)

How are you making your choices?

Some sources suggest that the average person makes 35,000 choices per day. Let’s break this down. If you sleep the recommended eight hours per day, that means you make 2,187.5 decisions per hour, approximately 36.5 decisions per minute, and roughly .6 decisions every second. What happens when you make decisions in your daily life based on how you feel, whether they are good or bad?

2 Corinthians 1:17 Was I vacillating when I wanted to do this? Do I make my plans according to the flesh, ready to say “Yes, yes” and “No, no” at the same time? (English Standard Version ESV)

How does that compare to the times when you make your decision based on the Word of God and the guidance of the Holy Spirit?

Colossians 3:15 Let the peace of Christ [the inner calm of one who walks daily with Him] be the controlling factor in your hearts [deciding and settling questions that arise]. To this peace indeed you were called as members in one body [of believers]. And be thankful [to God always]. (Amplified Bible AMP)

When you are emotional, you don’t think about why you are making the choice, you just do what you want. Also, emotional decisions rob you of the time you need to take to reflect on how your choice will affect you and/or others, both in the decision moment and in the future. When you make an emotional decision, you don’t want to be questioned. Why? Because you know you don’t have a God-ordained or prudent reason for the choice. When you let your flesh dictate your choices, you fail to acknowledge God and often you make a mess.

Proverbs 16:2 All the ways of a man are clean and innocent in his own eyes [and he may see nothing wrong with his actions], But the Lord weighs and examines the motives and intents [of the heart and knows the truth]. (Amplified Bible AMP)

Always step away from the situation in order for God to center you and guide you.

Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the Lord completely, and do not rely on your own opinions. With all your heart rely on him to guide you, and he will lead you in every decision you make. 6 Become intimate with him in whatever you do, and he will lead you wherever you go. (The Passion Translation TPT)

Please agree with me as I pray:

Father God, though it is easy to make a decision when I am emotional, I know I shouldn’t. I repent for the times when I tried to justify the decisions I made because I just didn’t want to admit I made the wrong one. Though You have grown me up to an almost unrecognizable place, I know there is still much more for You to do. I realize emotional decisions can be negative as well as positive. They are negative when fueled by anger and/or pain. They are positive when influenced by excitement, happiness, and even love. Either way, an emotional decision is not Your best for me. If I do not submit my decisions to You first; I will not make decisions that will please and honor You, the ones You want me to make. I want Your peace to abide within me. Then Your presence will be evident in the choices I make; in the words I speak and the actions I take. I thank You for Your peace…

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Ask the Lord what He wants to say to you about today’s devotional and journal His response as described here.