Have You Chosen the "Instead"?
Don’t fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns. Phil. 4:6 Message
Did you catch the word “instead” used there? I am struck by the fact that there is an intentional choice to be made. I can worry or I can pray and trust God. It is up to me to choose. In pondering this, my thoughts quickly moved on to the bigger application of this word “instead”.
In the circumstance of life there is almost always an "instead" that can be chosen. True, some choices are certainly more difficult than others, but too often we see only the difficulties and not the possibilities that might also be right there before us for the choosing. For example:
Instead of complaining I can be thankful
Instead of life without purpose I can choose to discover God’s unique purpose for me
Instead of discouragement I can choose a new perspective
Instead of bitterness I can forgive
Instead of hoarding I can choose generosity
Instead of selfishness I can choose service
Instead of control I can choose trust
Instead of always running out of money I can choose to live on a budget
Instead of laziness I can choose initiative
Instead of retribution I can choose grace
Instead of not liking what I see in the mirror I can choose to get in shape
Instead of arrogance I can choose humility
Instead of negativity I can choose encouragement
Instead of seeing all the problems I can choose to become part of the solutions
Instead of living in the past I can choose to make new memories
Instead of regret I can choose courageous steps of faith
Instead of fear I can choose the spirit of power, love and self-discipline that resides in me
Instead of death I can choose “Christ in you the hope of Glory”
…and yes, for those of you who are filled with anxiety: instead of worry, I can pray. There is a marvelous truth in verse 7 of Philippians 4: “It’s wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the center of your life.”
Whatever circumstances you find yourself in this morning, ask yourself what choosing “instead” would look like in your life.
Live this week on purpose,
Ron Klopfenstein
