The Right to Choose

A violent man entices his neighbor, and leads him in a way that is not good. Proverbs 16:29

There is a law of physics that says, "For every action there is an equal reaction." That is true in natural things but not the human spirit. We have the power to choose our reaction to someone else's actions. We all get our buttons pushed at times. Believe me, if I could have taken out everyone who pushed mine over the years, the world would be slightly less populated today. We have a higher calling than that.

One of the books I read in college was titled "Man's Search for Meaning" written by Dr. Frankl. He was in a concentration camp during WWII and he made a statement in this book that has stuck with me all these years. He said that virtually everything was taken away from him but his right to choose his own attitude. The Nazis did everything they could to push his buttons and drive him to the edge. He let go of what he couldn't control. Those are powerful words! God is an ever-present help in times of trouble. Yield to Him in those button pushing moments.

By Rick “Papa” Wilson