While God has a plan for us, we are given choices. In the end, we still get to where He wants us to be but it is our choices that determine how long it will take us to get there.

The more we resist, the longer it takes. The more we doubt His will, the more we have to ‘learn’ by going through more life experiences. It is the will of God that we serve Him and obey Him. The problem we have most often is that we choose to ignore obvious signs. Thinking to ourselves, there MUST be a better way! “I’ll wait till something better comes along.” Yet when we question His wisdom, we are actually passing up the opportunity He just laid out for us. I see this often when people who are in desperate need of money pass up job opportunities in hopes of getting something better that suits them. Something where they feel they do not have to lose their dignity or have to work somewhere that the type of work is beneath them. The work analogy is just a fraction of the possibilities that occur when we make decisions or choices based on self-ego, pride, self-indulgence, pity or self-talk.

It is the self-talk that can be so dangerous. When you repeat something to yourself long enough, you actually begin to believe it. “it’s not fair” “I don’t deserve this” “everyone hates me” “I love God, this shouldn’t be happening to me” Any of these sound familiar? They do to me! We question God’s will and wisdom at every turn asking ‘Why?’ ‘Why can’t this be easier?’ ‘ Why do I have to endure such misery and pain and suffering?’ Seems to me that the end result is almost worthless without realizing the effort needed to get there. Perseverance pays off in the end because you were not just given something, instead, you have earned it. In the meanwhile, you have gained many of life’s experiences and are now able to share them with others who are going through similar experiences.

That is what makes us who we are: Our past. Many choose to dread it, hate it, despise it or try to just forget it altogether. All of which are detrimental to our growth. And it is all based on the thoughts that run through our head. Our thoughts hold us back. No one else does. We control how we act and react to a situation based on thoughts, feelings and urge. We let our past dictate how we act today. It is 100% completely and totally up to you as to how you will respond today. Where you go from here is your choice. You choose, no one makes you do anything. So ask yourself: Do you want to do God’s will the hard way or do you want to make the best of every situation and proceed forward to see what other great and wonderful things our Lord has in store for you?

Sadly, some choose the shortcut. Suicide. While I am not qualified to speak on this subject, I can say that I know many who have gone through living with dealing with the suicide death of a loved one. It is so painful for them. They blame themselves and it is so sad to see the suffering caused. It is a ripple effect. From loved ones to friends to close friends of those friends, schoolmates, co-workers and even the medical personal who have to see this and deal with this all the way down to the person who runs the programs or funeral home or newspaper death column. The cycle doesn’t end. I bring the subject up because it is a choice. A choice that not only effects the suicide victim, but the whole world that surrounded them.

So many times I have heard this phrase come from different people who I have talked to: “You have no idea what I am going through (Or went through) (or did in the past)” I have heard this from people who suffer from stress, anxiety, depression, bi-polar, multiple personalities, been raped, raped, been abused, abused, been hurt or hurt others, lost a loved one, blame themselves for others actions etc… Let me tell you, this is not an atypical statement from someone who is in pain. They abandon themselves and the world around them and put themselves into an empty and lonely environment and feel as if they are going through the pain all by themselves. I have a message for you. “You are not alone.” Some choose to be alone but there are people who want in. people who have shared in the pain and have come through it and now want to share with you and help you through it. Many of which have had someone come into their lives to help them. Your basic ‘Pay It Forward.’

To tie this all together, choose life. Choose to let those around you in and let them understand. Choose not to be alone. For us who have been there, we can look back at all the trials and tribulations and thank God for them (sounds weird doesn’t it?). Otherwise, we would not be where we are today, surrounded by people who love us and care for us. Who knows, the person who wants to help you could be the person that God has sent to be with you. Yet, if you choose to block them out and not let you in, when do you suppose the next opportunity may come along? You can still be wise and learn from the past to avoid future pains, just be careful not to jump to conclusions quickly and remember that only you can control yourself, no one else can. One more time… You are not alone… choose to believe that and eventually, you may actually see that it is true.