The Gift of Free Will
There are times when I’m grateful God gives humans free will.
Other times, not so much.
Free will brings the ability to choose.
To choose freedom and health. Or hatred, revenge, and using life energy to destroy others.
The Price of Free Will
Free will also exacts a price.
The consequences may be fleeting — or impact the rest of my life.
If I eat food that’s too spicy, I suffer until the food makes its way through my system.
If I make a major purchase on credit, it may prevent me from buying other items I want — or more importantly, need.
If I hate someone, the price is the merciless, relentless infestation of worms that feast on my insides and consume the good in my life.
It’s My Choice
I have free will to choose the level of self-destruction I inflict.
Most of the time.
Unfortunately, there have been times when that choice is beyond my ability to make. Even when I see the choice is destroying me.
Setting food and purchases aside for the rest of this blog, how do I let go of hatred when I can’t?
Even if I don’t want to, I purposely choose to ask God for help to make the free will decision to let go of the hatred. And continue to ask every time I feel the hatred.
That’s definitely a time when I’m grateful God gave me free will.
The free will to choose freedom and a healthy life.
What helps you use free will to be free and healthy?
And by the way, I must purposely choose to ask God for help with healthy choices about everything (including food and purchases). 🙂
Free Will Is A Gift. Or Is It? What helps you use free will to be free and healthy? Share on XJoni Vance is an award-winning author of fiction, essay, and poetry. She loves mystery, history, and how God reveals Himself every day.
May God reveal the mystery of His love in your life story.
Joni, Thank you for this blog. I especially like your last point—we must purposely ask God for help in decisions we make. There are times I THINK I know what God wants, so I run ahead. My desire is to go to Him first, before I take a step!
Blessings to you!
Thank you for reading and sharing, Kim. I appreciate your support and comments. 🙂
As always, you really made me think about this subject. Free will is actually hard because we use it to make wrong decisions. As far as health goes, I wish God would just tell me exactly what He wants me to eat because there are so many conflicting, Biblical views on the subject, and I would do better without the free will to sneak in some sugar. Free will has also caused me to make some very wrong choices in life that I just have to live with. I think I’m more for God rule instead of free will:) After all, He knows the right choice on everything.
Thanks for commenting, Jane. Yes, I just do my best to do what God wants. And I’m very grateful He understands and gives me grace when I miss the mark. He heals and comforts and wants me to have His joy and strength – and He will turn all things for my good and His glory. It’s all about my motivation and God changing my heart.
Free will is definitely a gift. It’s the beauty of our relationships and mostly the relationship we have with our Savior. Thanks for the post.
Thanks for reading and commenting, Tim. I appreciate your support.