Making Decisions

Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him. – James 1:12 NIV

Those who stand firm during testing are blessed. They are tried and true. They will receive the life God has promised to those who love him as their reward. – James 1:12 CEV

When Jesus called us to follow Him and live differently, that included how we respond and react to others. We live in a “me” centered world and everytime someone or something makes us unhappy, we have a decision to make. Will we get angry and pout because things are not going our way? Will we meditate on the wrong done to us? Will we hold grudges and unforgiveness? Will we become resentful and bitter? Or will we respond as Jesus did?

Will we look at every situation and relationship through the lens of God’s Word? Will we forgive and leave it in God’s capable hands? Will we choose to learn and grow from the situation and become a better person from experiencing God’s intervention? Will we choose to see God working it all for good?

God’s Word tells us that we are blessed when we stand the tests of life. Our perserverence to live differently for Christ will not only gain us the crown of life in eternity, but it will give us a Christlike quality of life now.