The Power of Choice

Have you ever awakened from a blissful sleep only to find your feet landing on the wrong side of the bed? You open your eyes, your feet barely brush against the carpet, and it begins. Nothing seems to fall into place. What usually takes only a moment to accomplish explodes into a rippling multitude of turmoil and bad attitudes. You find yourself scolding the dryer for not fully drying the blouse you planned to wear, tripping over the dog, running late and hopelessly searching for your missing keys. And it always seems like those are the days when you’re bombarded with a defeating onslaught of unwelcomed events all day long.

In the Psalms, we see David express his frustrations, fears and failures in the midst of similar days and seasons in his life. But, he seems to have discovered a rhythm—a hidden secret—to walking through the difficult moments. Chapter after chapter, we watch him exercise the hidden discipline of … choice. As David records the inner turmoil of his private moments, we get the privilege of peering into his innermost choices. One moment he’s crying out with every fiber of his being; the next he’s exulting in the marvelous acts God will do on his behalf.

David chooses to believe God’s faithfulness; therefore he declares his confidence in Him. David sets his anchor in the bedrock of God’s faithfulness, and that choice steers him through whatever circumstances he finds himself in.

It’s choice, not chance, that determines your destiny.
Jean Nidetch
(Founder of Weight Watchers)

When everything within him is dry, he basks in the refreshing stream of God’s unfailing mercy. Encircled by his enemies, David declares that God is his strong fortress. Rejoicing in God’s love, he determines to seek Him with all his heart. In the midst of battle, he declares victory long before his triumph comes. Throughout the Psalms, we see David disciplining himself and choosing to seek, believe, wait, hope, trust, forgive, stand and praise.

Why? Because David had discovered the hidden power of choice. In Psalms, we see the power of choice up close as David records his daily—almost moment- by-moment—choices to set his bearing by the faithfulness of God. Whatever obstacle was thrown in his path, he resolutely chose to believe and his determination became his declaration.

Your choices set your course and determine your path. The choices you make ultimately lead and guide you. That’s why the Scriptures tell us, “As a man thinks in his heart so is he” (Proverbs 23:7). When you make a conscious, deliberate choice, it becomes the foundation of your ability to stand and to be still in the face of overwhelming circumstances.

Your choices also establish your belief system. It’s easy to be driven by whims and emotions, but when you begin to understand the power of your choices, you become empowered to consistently rise above any unbelief or doubt that comes your way. Instead of wavering on God’s perfect love and complete protection, you’re strengthened by your confidence in His faithfulness.

Just a few years ago, I was walking through one of the most difficult trials I had ever faced. When all hope was gone, I remember standing in a worship service unable to sing. I had no words. Caught off-guard by circumstances that left me feeling abandoned by God, I was completely void of emotion, no crying rose from my heart. I didn’t have anything to give. But in that moment, I made a choice and declared: “I will stand.”

I’ll never forget that moment. I knew everything had changed. I knew God was moving on my behalf.

Every day, I face choices. Some are subtle, some are complex, some are complicated by emotions and confused by obscurity. There are days when it’s simple—I wake to His presence and enjoy His goodness or look up from the chaos and remember: “Today is the day the Lord has made, and I will rejoice!” Other days, it takes every ounce of my courage to declare: “I will trust You.” Because I know that whether it’s now or later, He always comes through. Regardless of what kind of day it is or how I’m feeling, I have determined that when my feet hit the ground, I am going to declare my confident trust in His faithfulness.