It’s Up To You

It’s up to You

If you refuse to serve the LORD, then choose today whom you will serve. Would you prefer the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates? Or will it be the gods of the Amorites in whose land you now live? But as for me and my family, we will serve the LORD.

Joshua 24:15

Do you recall what we suggested you do four days ago on February 15? We asked you to make a choice. We asked you to exert your personal freedom and choose to do something that would positively impact your relationship together. We told you about a little experiment that underscored the value and power that comes when we don’t leave so much of our lives to chance. In case you need a reminder while you conduct your own experiment, here’s another example.

This study was conducted not far from our home in Seattle, at the University of Washington. The researchers divided into two groups students who were going through multiple life changes. One group was led to believe they had no control over what happened to them, and the other group believed they had a considerable amount of control. Depression and anxiety were significantly higher for the students who believed they had no control.^a Those who perceived themselves as in charge of their lives showed little to no depression or anxiety despite high stress.

Again, we are simply underscoring the fact that if we do not leverage the personal freedom, self-responsibility, and choice we all have as God-given tools in our lives, we miss out on countless blessings that he has waiting for us. In the professional literature on the subject it’s called “self-efficacy” and “internal locus of control.” But the Bible simply calls this “choice,” as in, “choose today whom you will serve.” However you label it, you can be certain this quality is being exercised by every healthy and happy individual and couple on the planet.

With the Holy Spirit in our lives we can choose our attitudes about what happens to us and how other people treat us. That includes your spouse. Choose today how you will think about your spouse and about whatever situations you are facing together.

God gave us a free choice because there is no significance to love that knows no alternative.

—James C. Dobson

^a 18