“Do as you wish and experience the result of that…” Anon
Pro 23:7 for as he thinks in his heart, so is he; Eat and drink, he says to you, but his heart is not with you.
The quality of your choices and decisions can be determined by the quality of life you experience as a result of those choices and decisions
Every decision has a consequence.
Consequential thinking is pro-active behavior, which stems from emotional intelligence – it is about considering the consequences of our thoughts, feelings and actions before acting. It allows us to make choices and decisions that will produce the best possible outcomes and results. Far too often our need for instant gratification leads to thoughts like: “I’ll cross that bridge when I get there...” In other words, “I want what I want… and I want it now - I’ll deal with the consequences later.”
We need to learn to delay gratification when the consequences are undesirable and / or painful.
Deu 30:19 I call Heaven and earth to record today against you. I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing. Therefore, choose life, so that both you and your seed may live, 20 so that you may love Jehovah your God, and that you may obey His voice, and that you may cling to Him. For He is your life and the length of your days, so that you may dwell in the land which Jehovah swore to your fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, to give it to them.
We make countless unconscious decisions every day. What we should eat; what we should wear; what we should watch on television etc. Those decisions are made unconsciously based on our patterns, habits and our personal priorities. Our choices shape who we are.
In order to ‘live’ integrity, we need to consider the cost and benefits of all our actions and align our actions with our intentions.
Our Thinking:
"It's impossible."
"I am too tired."
"Nobody really loves me."
"Nobody really cares for me."
"I cannot go on."
"I cannot figure things out."
"I cannot do it."
"I am not worth it."
"I cannot forgive myself."
"I cannot afford to."
His Thinking:
"All things are possible" Luk_18:27.
"I will give you rest" Mat_11:20-30.
"I love you" Joh_3:16.
"I care for you" 1Pe_5:7.
"My grace is sufficient" 2Co_12:9.
"I will direct your steps" Pro_20:24; Pro_3:6.
"You can do all things" Phi_4:13.
"I am able" 2Co_9:8.
"It will be worth it" Rom_8:28.
"I forgive you" Psa_103:12; 1Jo_1:9.
"I will supply all your needs" Phi_4:19.
Tit 3:3 For we ourselves also were once foolish, disobedient, deceived, slaving for various lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, hating one another.
Not only do we have the intelligence to process and manipulate ideas, but we also we have the intelligence to understand and use our emotions.
The scientific definition of emotional intelligence is recognizing, understanding and managing our emotions.
Emotional intelligence is the capacity to get the best possible results from our relationships with our self and with others.
It is a deep awareness of the following:
Self-awareness - understanding how we function;
Self-management - choosing our thoughts, feelings, and actions;
Self-direction - using empathy and principled decision-making to increase wisdom and to create a more compassionate, healthy world.
Through pursuing our dreams and goals and daily acts of human kindness, we validate ourselves by creating a profound legacy.
Our personal priorities and goals shape our daily and long-term choices by giving us direction.
In order to make really good choices and decisions you need to have a very good understanding of your own needs, fears, emotions, moods, desires, pain, strengths and weaknesses. This is called self-awareness.
The better you understand yourself, the better you are able to accept or change who you are.
Remaining in the dark about yourself means that you will continue to get caught up in your own internal struggles and allow outside forces to influence, mould and shape you.
Introspection is the ability to examine and acknowledge your needs, fears, emotions, moods, desires, pain, strengths, weaknesses etc.
I have compiled some questions which should help you on your journey to self-discovery.
Be very specific when you answer them and be kind to yourself – do not judge yourself and do not feel guilty about anything.
Simply become aware of what you need to change in order to have the outcome you want or desire for your life. You need to be totally honest with yourself - honesty requires courage.
Who am I?
What is my purpose in life?
Why am I here?
What do I really want for my life?
What makes me happy?
What makes me sad?
What makes me angry?
What do I feel guilty about?
Who do I need to forgive? Why?
Who needs to forgive me? Why?
What am I afraid of?
What are my strengths?
What are my weaknesses?
What opportunities do I have?
How honest am I?
Do I live my life with integrity?
What effect do I have on others?
What would people say about the way I conducted my life if I died today?
What do I need to change about me in order to grow emotionally and spiritually?
What is your definition of the following words?
Inner peace
Acceptance
Truth
Joy
Trust
Anger
Success
Love
Fear
Friend
Guilt
Intention
Responsibility
Mistake
“We make our world significant by the courage of our questions,
and the depth of our answers.”
- Carl Sagan
I need to always remember that God always has a plan for my life. Nothing just happens.
God’s plan does not come falling out of the sky though. And then hit you on the head. It must be discovered.
Amen
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