Your Day, Your Way

Ok, let’s get personal.  Have you ever had someone ask, “What’s wrong?” You may feel like thunderclouds hang over your head, but you’re not ready to share. So you say, “It’s personal,” expecting them to drop the subject?

Let’s face it. Emotional discomfort is real. We all have a conscience that tries to get our attention from time to time.

You may have heard the saying, *“Most people are as happy as they make up their minds to be.” In other words, we live our lives as a matter of choice.  

David said that when he refused to acknowledge his sin or wrongdoing, he was miserable; he felt drained (Psalm 32:3-4). Sin is not always a biggie like David’s sin with Bathsheba or against her husband, Uriah (2 Samuel 11-12).

Sometimes sin is simply “missing the mark” . . . knowing God’s will, but choosing to do it “my way,” instead.  

Is your day lacking joy, a feeling of well-being, or contentment? Joy is also a Fruit of the Spirit that comes from faith in God’s character and His promises, and gives us hope. It differs from happiness, which can be circumstantial.

You can see by the heading on my blog that I believe in a God of second chances, forgiveness, and new hope day by day. David said that when he acknowledged his sin and confessed his transgressions, God forgave him (Psalm 32:5).

To have our sins forgiven is a blessing from God, a fresh start. But again, it’s personal (Psalm 32:1-2).

Only YOU can offer the sacrifices God desires: (1) A broken spirit, and (2) a contrite heart (Psalm 51:17). Six out of eight **Bible translations used these exact words.

A broken spirit is another way of saying, “I’m humbling myself before You, God.” And a contrite heart means, “I’m sorry for my sin. I’m repenting and turning away from it.”

So, it’s your day, your way! Confession is a personal choice, and forgiveness brings personal joy!

Pixabay: Thunderstorm, Thunderclouds, Clouds; Bernhardjaeck.

*This quote has often been attributed to President Abraham Lincoln, but it cannot be proven. It did appear in a newspaper column in 1914 by Dr. Frank Crane; Ai overview.

**See Bible Translations on the YouVersion Bible app.