7 Ways Believers Are Free to Choose

Dr. Caroline Leaf teaches, “The process of thinking and choosing is the most powerful thing in the universe after God and it is a phenomenal gift from God to be treasured and used properly.”

We can choose life-giving or destructive thoughts. Paul, New Testament missionary and writer, exhorts, “Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things” (Philippians 4:8 NIV). He wouldn’t urge us to do this if it were impossible. This teaching shows us we have the power to choose to think about these things instead of lies, ugliness, impurity, hate, and malice.

Paul also writes that we should, “take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ” (2 Corinthians 10:5b, NIV). This choice is amazing. We don’t have to be trapped in destructive, spiraling thought patterns. It’s not easy and takes time, work, and, often, help from others. But we can decide to change our thought patterns, and when we do, it changes our brains (Dr. Caroline Leaf, Switch On Your Brain). 

Each morning, as we wake up, we choose our first thoughts. We can decide to praise God or moan and complain. As we go through the day and negative thoughts attack, we can stop, look at them, and replace them with truth and beauty.

2. Gratitude

We can choose each day to be thankful for all we have instead of focusing on what we don’t have and being discontent. There’s extensive research on the power of gratitude by both scientists and Christian writers. 

Paul teaches, “Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus” (1 Thessalonians 5:18 NIV). We can choose to be thankful. If someone is caught in a cycle of negativity, it may take time and work, but it can be overcome. Begin by being grateful for just one thing. Write it down, or say it aloud.

Another challenge is to make a list today of five things you’re grateful for, and tomorrow add five more. If we do this each day, we begin to grow in gratitude for God’s gifts.

Author Ann Voskamp beautifully wrote, “No amount of regret changes the past. No amount of anxiety changes the future. Any amount of gratitude changes the present.”

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Choosing joy has often been a challenge for me. It is easy to fall into negative thought patterns about myself or my situation. But we can choose joy in all circumstances. 

Joy is a gift from the Holy Spirit and comes from the inside as we focus on God’s unfailing love and His incredible gifts. Joy is always available.

Happiness is conditional. We’re happy when circumstances are pleasant or we get what we want. Joy occurs on a deeper level. We can have joy in our spirits even when we’re experiencing loss. It’s tricky because we often use these words interchangeably. Although they may overlap, I believe there’s a difference between the two.

One friend isn’t happy about having incurable cancer, but she’s filled with joy because she knows Jesus has her in His hands and that, ultimately, she will live with Him forever. Another friend is grieving about her father’s death, but she rejoices in the comfort and grace given to her by Jesus Christ. Each chooses to rejoice in Jesus despite difficulties.

Scripture teaches that we can find joy:

In God’s presence (Psalm 16:11).

In Scripture (Psalm 19:8; Jeremiah 15:16).

Through salvation in Jesus Christ (Psalm 51:12; Isaiah 12:3; Matthew 13:44; Acts 16:34).

In God’s unfailing love (Psalm 90:14).

From God’s comfort (Psalm 94:19).

From being filled with the Holy Spirit (Acts 13:52; Romans 14:17; Galatians 5:22; 1 Thessalonians 1:6).

In relationship with believers in Jesus (Philippians 2:2,4:1; 1 Thessalonians 2:19-20).

Despite trials (2 Corinthians 8:2; James 1:2).

4. Encouraging Words

Words are powerful. Scripture teaches, “The tongue has the power of life and death” (Proverbs 18:21a NIV). We can speak words that build up, teach, inspire, and give hope. Or we can speak words that hurt, discourage, tear down, deceive, and pollute. 

We choose how we speak to others and ourselves. Words have the power to break up friendships, destroy marriages, wound children, split churches, ruin reputations, and rob us of joy. Words also have the power to heal marriages, restore relationships, and give hope. 

Jesus taught, “It’s not what goes into your mouth that defiles you; you are defiled by the words that come out of your mouth” (Matthew 15:11 NLT).  

Let this be our prayer each day, “May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing to you, O LORD, my rock and my redeemer” (Psalm 19:14 NLT).

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Generosity is not about how much we have to give.  It’s an attitude of the heart, and it’s a choice we make. The poorest person could be the most generous, while a rich person might be miserly. 

We choose each day if we will be generous with our time, talents, and money or selfishly cling to what we have. 

Paul wrote, “Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth…but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share” (1 Timothy 6:17-18 NIV). 

God commands us to be generous with what we have, knowing we are blessed when we give (Acts 20:35; Luke 6:38; 2 Corinthians 9:6).

6. Kindness

A popular slogan today is “Choose Kindness.” We always have a choice to treat others with kindness and respect or to be rude and uncaring. I regret having too often been rude to others simply because I was so focused on myself.

We have to make a conscious choice to see other people and treat them as we want to be treated (Luke 6:31). Scripture commands, “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you” (Ephesians 4:32 NIV).  

Wisdom from the Bible reveals, “Those who are kind benefit themselves, but the cruel bring ruin on themselves” (Proverbs 11:17 NIV). So today, choose to be kind.

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We are most like God when we love others because “God is love” (1 John 4:8 NIV). It’s unfortunate that the English language only has one word for love. We “love” everything from tacos to our favorite shirt to God. This implies love is something out of our control. We either love something or we don’t. 

The New Testament was written in the Greek language, which has four words for love. God’s love is Agape love, which is a sacrificial, unselfish love. He commands us to love others with His love. This is an action we choose to take. It’s not based on emotion or preference. We obey Jesus’s command to “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind…and love your neighbor as yourself’” (Matthew 22:36-39 NIV).

We show love when we choose to give to the needy, feed the hungry, or put others before ourselves. We show love when we share the truth of the gospel, encourage the downhearted, or pray for the sick. When we choose to listen to people, care about them, and are willing to help, we are loving them. 

Use Your Freedom to Choose Life

We’re free to choose life or death, peace or despair in our thoughts, words, and actions. When we trust Jesus Christ for salvation, His Spirit lives in us. The Holy Spirit enables us to love as God does when we yield to Him. Scripture teaches, “The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control” (Galatians 5:22-23 NIV). This is how I aspire to live. I have a long way to go, but I seek the way of love in the choices I make each day. May we each do so.

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