Choose Your Own Ending

I have always been an avid reader. I LOVE to read! At one stage in my childhood, I enjoyed reading the "choose your own ending" books. You know, the ones where you would read to a certain part of the book, and then you would have a choice...If you want the knight to face the fire breathing dragon, continue reading. If you want the knight to run screaming in fear, stop and turn to page 42 then continue reading. I thought it might be fun to do a "choose your own ending" blog. So, here goes.

Once upon a time, there was a lady. She was a very nice lady. Through a totally innocent mistake of someone else, she had her feelings hurt. This precious lady, then had a decision to make.

A. She could quietly and peacefully go to the one who hurt her, and lovingly explain how the mistake hurt her, knowing what had happened was an honest, innocent mistake. And then allow the person to explain what happened and why, and if possible, make right the mistake.

OR

B. She could take the mistake personally, and get really upset. Then she could tell others how she had been wronged.

So now. The moment of truth. If you choose action A, continue reading. If you choose action B, skip down to the *.

Okay, so she is hurt, but she takes a few minutes to think it through. Why did this happen? Was the person who made the mistake doing it to be mean and hurt her? After prayerfully considering the answer, she comes to the conclusion that no, that was not the case. So she goes to the person, and tells them her story. Here is what happened. Here is how I felt about it. I realize that you did not mean to hurt me. Would you please fix the mistake, so that it doesn't happen again?

In the process, the lady has followed the Lord's commands, and her actions have been pleasing to Him. She has restored a relationship, and it may even grow stronger now, because of the Biblical way in which she handled herself. She has also helped to program her heart and her mind to react properly the next time she finds herself in a similar situation. Not to mention she has been an excellent, Godly example to anyone who is watching her. To God be the glory!

Consider these verses:

Luke 6:45
45 A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil: for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh.

Ephesians 4:32 - 5:2
32 And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.

5:1 Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children; 2 And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour.


*She is hurt. She can't be-lieve THAT person would do THAT to HER! How DARE they?!? WHAT was that person thinking anyway? It's so UNBELIEVABLE that she just HAS TO TELL SOMEONE! So, tell someone she does. And it feels so good to get it off of her chest, that she tells someone else, and someone else. But of course, she just tells her side of the story, because she hasn't talked to the other person about the matter. So all of the people she tells are now walking around shaking their heads in disbelief as well. And the next time they run into that person in the store, they are going to tell them just what they think!

In the process, not a single thing has gotten better. The lady is still hurt, and now has an army of friends in her camp. And they are planning war on an innocent party who does not even realize that they have hurt her in the first place (until they are ambushed by someone in the lady's camp that is). The lady has done nothing, but add to the problem. It has in essence snowballed from a simple, honest mistake, to a full blown division among believers. This is definitely not a happily ever after ending.

Consider these verses:

1 Corinthians 3:3 For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men?

Proverbs 15:18 A wrathful man stirreth up strife: but he that is slow to anger appeaseth strife.

Proverbs 16:28 A froward man soweth strife: and a whisperer separateth chief friends.

The moral of the story is...that lady, she is me. And she is you. And each and every day, we are faced with multiple "choose your own ending" types of decisions. It is easy, and pretty cut and dried when we are the readers, and somewhat removed from the emotions of the situation, to pick the happy ending. But when we find ourselves smack dab in the middle of the real life situation, sometimes it is really hard to do the right thing.

This is why it is SO important that we read our Bibles, pray consistently, and yield ourselves to the Holy Spirit on a daily basis. That way we are much better equipped to "choose our own ending." And I know by experience, when I do as Proverbs 3:5-6 instructs: "Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths." I am 100% sure to end with a happily ever after.

Lord, help me to think through, and prayerfully consider my options, before I make my "choose your own ending" decisions today. Please help me to put my pride and selfishness aside, and obey Your command to love others as I love myself. Help me to follow Your lead about the paths I should take. Thank You, Lord that You love me and care about me enough to direct my paths.