YOUR ATTITUDE AND GRATITUDE HELP YOU TO MAKE WISE CHOICES

SCRIPTURE:
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, 
goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.  
Against such things there is no law.  (Galatians 5:22-23)

MEDITATION:
Every morning as the day begins, we know that we will have choices to make.
We have the freedom 
to yield to our natural tendencies and make choices in our own strength.
Or, we can direct our thoughts toward ‘things above’ 
and allow the Lord to guide our choices.
When He influences our thought processes, we will make good choices.

Even though He went to Calvary to give us freedom to make our own 
decisions, we need Him to sway our thoughts in the right direction.
When we allow Him to do that…

We will choose love over hate, anger, bitterness and revenge.
Others will see the love of God flowing through us. 
As a result of our awareness of God's love for us, we will love others.

We will choose joy over sadness, depression and the absence of hope.
When we have problems, 
we will view them as opportunities to see God at work.
Instead of finding fault, we will see value in other people.

We will choose peace over turmoil and strife.
Whenever we start to feel stressed, we will remember that we are forgiven.
When worry starts to invade our thoughts, 
we will find peace in remembering our relationship with the Lord.

We will choose patience over anxiety and tenseness.
Whenever we have to wait in line, or for an appointment, 
we will learn to use those times as opportunities to pray.
Instead of allowing frustrations to grow into anger, 
we will be thankful that God has hit the pause button in our lives.

We will choose kindness over meanness, gossip and attempts to hurt others.
We will not restrict our kindness to a certain group of people, 
but we will be kind to everyone, including those who are unkind to us.

We will choose goodness over sinfulness and unrighteousness. 
Others will know us for our honesty and forthrightness. 
Instead of accusing and blaming others,
we will learn to confess our faults and failures.

We will choose faithfulness over hypocrisy and lack of dependability.
Our promises will be kept and our debts will be paid. 
Others will know that we are honest and our word is trustworthy. 
Our family and friends will not question the sincerity of our love.

We will choose gentleness over harshness and rudeness.
When we raise our voices, it will be in praise and not fits of anger.
If we have demands, 
they will be directed toward ourselves and not on causing stress for others. 

We will choose self-control over thoughtlessness and foolishness.
Others will identify us as people of faith 
who can bring a calmness to tumultuous situations.
Our thoughts will be ruled by God and not by our natural inclinations.

Why would we make the choices above?
Because we have a desire 
to develop the qualities of the One we follow and worship – Jesus Christ.
We want to be influenced and taught by Him. 
In summary, our choices are outward evidence 
of how much control we have given to the Holy Spirit.

ACTION:
When you arise each day, how will your choices be made throughout the day?
Will you allow your choices to be guided by the Holy Spirit within you, 
or will you seize control of your mind and allow your natural desires 
to control your decisions?

Pray,
“Heavenly Father, in Your Word You have outlined the qualities You would 
like to see in me. Help me to develop those qualities by allowing the Holy 
Spirit to take control of my mind and choices. With all the external 
influences on my life, I am subject to making bad choices, but I have faith 
and confidence that the Holy Spirit can guard me from bad choices and steer 
me toward good ones. Thank You Father, that when I chose to believe in and 
follow Your Son, Jesus, You blessed me with the gift of the Holy Spirit.”