We are known for our choices.

Our thoughts affect our actions. There is very little that we do without thinking. Even when we are angry, hurt, depressed, happy, or relaxed we at least have a passing thought about what we do. It may be, “That sounds fun. Let’s do it!” It may be in the heat of an argument, “I’ll make sure to get my point across no matter what it takes or no matter what I have to say.” I remember the first time I jumped off a cliff into a lake. I was so scared. I couldn’t do it. My friends were cheering me on and finally one of them said, “You have to stop thinking about the jump and just do it.” The choices we make tell others a lot about us. Do we choose to let anger, bitterness, depression, sorrow, or anxiety rule our thoughts? If so, it will affect how we are known. Do we let happiness, laughter, lightheartedness, or jokes rule our thoughts? If so, it will affect how we are known. If we were to stop and think, we could probably think of a person or two we say, “I don’t want be around them because they are always angry, depressed, worried, or I just don’t know which person I’ll get.” There may be others that we say, “I don’t always want to be around them because all they do is joke, pull pranks, laugh at everything, or they make spontaneous decisions all the time.” The fact is that we can’t control the other persons attitudes, actions, or their thoughts, but we can surrender our attitudes, actions, and thoughts to God, We can choose to allow God to have full reign over us and to temper us. We can choose to bring every thought into captivity. We can choose to present our bodies as a living sacrifice. We can choose to allow the Holy Spirit to fill us and control us. We can choose surrender. We are known for our choices. Today, choose to surrender to God. Matthew 5:16 – “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.”