By John Thurman
According to Dr. Phil, life should be managed, not cured.
Transforming Your Life Through Intentional Choices
By acting now, being daring, and staying focused, your life will transform beyond your wildest dreams. If you want to step into the life God has designed for you, it starts with a deliberate choice, guided by your faith. Although lovely, wishing and hoping won’t lead to success. You control the path’s direction. The decisions you make today, with faith as your guide, will directly influence your future.
Embrace Your Role as the CEO of Your Life
Because you are the chief executive, your life choices are within your control. Like a gentle whisper amidst the daily chaos, the Lord calls to you, inviting you to be a source of life and hope. But here’s the catch: it requires intentional and courageous choices to bring that purpose into reality. These choices could be as simple as choosing to forgive someone who has wronged you, or as significant as changing your career to align with your true calling. Does a sense of purpose guide your life? Or are you aimlessly drifting through days that run together, unaware of the incredible power resting within your hands?
Adopt Harry Truman’s Philosophy
“The buck stops here!” was Harry Truman’s straightforward, yet impactful, philosophy, and leaders and champions embrace total accountability for their actions. With clarity and resolve, Truman remained steadfast in his monumental decisions, not second-guessing or shrinking back from what he believed was right. That decisiveness is what we all need! Own your choices; own your life.
You are the only one responsible for your life’s choices.
Because this journey is not about blaming others or allowing external factors to determine our direction, it is about conforming our will to God’s intention for our lives. You need to act purposefully and state, “I am answerable for my actions with what I have received.”
And remember, just because you’ve faced trauma doesn’t mean it defines who you are today or where you’re heading tomorrow. Though they’ve had heart-wrenching experiences, many wonderful people refuse to let their scars dictate their futures.
So here’s my encouragement: Embrace this moment as an opportunity to decide how you’ll respond. Although the past influences us, it is our response that truly characterizes us. Are you ready? Let’s make those bold choices together!
Jerry’s Journey: Rising Above Trauma with Faith and Purpose
Take Jerry, for example, a fellow veteran battling PTSD who made an intentional choice not to be defined by his trauma but to rise as an overcomer.
While deployed in Puerto Rico as a FEMA stress counselor, I met Jerry, a Vietnam veteran with an invisible battle scar far deeper than most could see. The stories he shared were raw, but what struck me most was his deliberate decision to take control.
Because of the choice before him, Jerry had to decide whether to be controlled by PTSD or to take back control using faith, therapy, accountability, and sheer resolve. He chose the latter.
With God’s help, he made a courageous decision, stating: “PTSD will not control my future.”
Through faith, discipline, and intentional action, Jerry transformed his pain into a platform for impact. He’s now helping others rebuild their lives because he was proactive.
His secret? His future was forged through a bold, deliberate decision, guided by faith and purpose.
Decisiveness and Spiritual Growth
If your life isn’t where you believe it should be, it’s your responsibility. Circumstances do not shift themselves, nor is your Prince Charming or Fairy Godmother going to bail you out. God’s plan for your life requires your intentional, courageous decisions.
Even when facing challenges, decisiveness means making firm choices and adhering to them. In the context of spiritual growth, decisiveness is the unwavering commitment to your faith and the active pursuit of a deeper relationship with God. It is a vital trait for anyone striving to deepen their faith. When individuals face moments of uncertainty, being decisive can lead to clarity and confidence in their beliefs. This clarity can enhance our relationship with God and our understanding of spiritual principles. In addition, decisiveness pushes individuals to actively build their faith, rather than passively await divine help.
Decisiveness, furthermore, prompts individuals to take charge of their spiritual path. By actively choosing to deepen their faith, they become more invested in their relationship with God. This investment fosters ownership regarding one’s convictions, which results in greater commitment to enacting these convictions daily. To deepen your faith, you can engage in regular prayer and meditation, study the scriptures, and actively participate in your church community. Through decisive actions, Christians can witness tangible growth in their faith.
You must decide to step into that plan. With faith as your guide, choose to rise above the past and pursue your divine purpose.
Until you choose to do so, you’ll stay stuck in a cycle of complacency. But when you decide, with God’s strength, you unleash a power greater than fear or doubt.
The Power of Intentional, Tenacious Decision-Making
Christians find decisiveness to be a decisive advantage when navigating their faith. It plays a critical role in overcoming doubt, building resilience, and nurturing enduring faith. Because individuals make intentional choices reflecting their beliefs, they reinforce their relationship with God and encourage their spiritual growth. The connection between decisiveness and enduring faith is evident, highlighting the importance of taking ownership of one’s spiritual journey.
It starts with a conscious commitment:
– Clarify your ‘Why’. Why are you alive? What’s your divine purpose? What is your life’s mission?
– Trust that God has a plan for you. Believe in the dreams He has placed in your heart.
– Break your goals into manageable, deliberate steps. Purposeful action drives transformation.
– Share your vision with faith-filled, supportive people. Community fuels perseverance.
– Move forward with unwavering resolve every day.
A Final Challenge
“God did not put in me the ability to always make the right decision. But He did give me the ability to choose—and then, with His help, make that choice right.” — Andy Andrews. Isn’t that a comforting thought? Each day gives us opportunities to choose our path, and today is no different. Therefore, reflect on intentionality. It’s not just about deciding; it’s about embracing your divine purpose with unwavering resolve. Picture this: you’re standing at a crossroads, armed with faith and determination. What bold, purposeful choice will you make today?
Therefore, reflect on intentionality. It’s not just about deciding; it’s about embracing your divine purpose with unwavering resolve. Picture this: you’re standing at a crossroads, armed with faith and determination. What bold choice will you make today? Remember, it doesn’t have to be perfect—just purposeful.
With God’s power supporting you, know that your future is entirely in your hands! You have the strength within to turn those choices into something beautiful and transformative. So go ahead—make that decision! Whether it’s stepping out of your comfort zone or nurturing relationships that matter most, trust that He’ll guide you every step of the way. And if things don’t go as planned? View this event as a growth opportunity, perhaps a humorous tale eventually! Let’s embrace this journey together and see where God leads us next!
Bonus Bible Study
Joshua 24:15 (NLT)
“But if you refuse to serve the Lord, then choose today whom you will serve… But as for me and my family, we will serve the Lord.”
Reflection:
Joshua challenges us to make a deliberate decision to serve God. We can’t be passive on our spiritual journey—we must choose whom we will follow. Are you prepared to make a bold decision to serve God’s purpose in your life?
Proverbs 3:5-6 (NLT)
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take.”
Reflection:
Making decisions requires trust and seeking God’s guidance. When you navigate life’s crossroads, rely on God’s wisdom rather than your understanding to discover the right path.
Questions to Guide Your Decision-Making:
- What is God’s purpose for my life, and how can I intentionally align my decisions with that purpose today?
- (Pray, seek His Word, and reflect on your divine mission)
- Am I trusting God fully in my choices, or am I relying solely on my understanding? What steps can I take today to seek His guidance more intentionally?
- (Consider ways to deepen your prayer and surrender to God’s plan)
Closing Reminder:
Deciding to follow God’s plan is a bold, purposeful act. Your future is shaped by the decisions you make today. With faith, courage, and intentionality, you can change your life for His glory.
Challenge:
Identify one area where you need to make a decisive change. Commit to that decision today, trusting that God will lead you every step of the way.
Recent Comments