When You Remember You Have Another Choice... A Five Minute Friday post.

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I can't tell you how there has been this theme simmered on low in our lives for the past couple of months.  Actually - it's a reoccurring theme and we try to not get too far from its' path but MAN... I think this is a message we ALL need to be reminded of every once in awhile.  

We'll dig into it below, but first: This is Five Minute Friday... and our One Word Prompt is: OTHER! 

{GO}

I see the word and immediately flashback to several events that have unfolded for us over the last several months... and I'm reminded that we always have a choice.  

We get to choose feelings of faith or fear...
of peace or peril.

We've tried not to forget this over the last couple of weeks, but in reality -- it's been an intentional choice to hang on to Peace over the coarse of our lives for a very long time now!

We huddle in close and we lean in quietly and we silence our fears and remind ourselves that we have another choice.  

We could choose fear... or worry... or doubt. 
We could. 

Often times that really feels wise anyway. 
It feels like we almost should!  
Like... it makes sense!


However, we take the truth of Colossians 3:15 to heart and we purposed long ago --way back when our budget said we could not survive on one income alone but the Lord said we could... we purposed all those years ago to truly let Peace be our Umpire!

"And let the peace (soul harmony which comes) from Christ rule (act as umpire continually) in your hearts [deciding and settling with finality all questions that arise in your minds, in that peaceful state] to which as [members of Christ’s] one body you were also called [to live]. And be thankful (appreciative), [giving praise to God always]. Col 3:15 AMPC (Amplified Classic)

I touched on this a little bit earlier this week here, but honestly --PEACE is so vital and it is what should will set us apart!

It has to!

This world is crazy and chaotic...
   --so full of turmoil and turbulence.

It's easy to forget we have
a CHOICE in how we respond.  

We have a choice in what we tune our ears to
and where we allow our hearts to roam!

The Word is full of verses that talk about Peace and how He offers it to us at every turn --the key is we have to choose it... We have to choose to trust Him... 

“The steadfast of mind You will keep in perfect peace, Because he trusts in You." Isa 26:3 NASB

 “For the mountains may be removed and the hills may shake, But My lovingkindness will not be removed from you, And My covenant of peace will not be shaken,” Says the Lord who has compassion on you." Isa 54:10 

  “For you will go out with joy And be led forth with peace; The mountains and the hills will break forth into shouts of joy before you, And all the trees of the field will clap their hands." Isa 55:12

"The Lord will give strength to His people; The Lord will bless His people with peace." Ps 29:11

"Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful." John 14:27

Listen, I know it's not easy. I know it feels ignorant or impossible. But I promise you, it is not! And I have said it a thousand times here but He will not disappoint! 

He is trustworthy and true!

He knows that it's not an easy choice, but it IS possible! 
He admitted as much here:

"These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world." John 16:33 

He reminds us in Romans: 

"For the mind-set of the flesh is death, but the mind-set controlled by the Spirit finds life and peace." Romans 8:6 TPT 

"...for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.." Romans 14:17 

I don't know about you... 
but I could sure use some life and peace... 
some righteousness, peace, and joy! 

Oh but wait... 
I HAVE it... 

I have all of those things,
because the Kingdom of God is
both here and now, and not yet. 

We have access to all that He paid for...
access to the keys to the Kingdom... 

And this peace that He gives? 
Yeah... 'the world didn't give it... 
and they can't take it away!'

{STOP}

Seriously you guys... 
you wouldn't even believe the
'opportunities' that we've been given
over the past couple of months (read: years)
to choose the OTHER...
to choose not to fear or panic,
but instead to activate FAITH and PEACE!

When we choose peace...
the Light within us shines 
ALL THE BRIGHTER!

And now, because of course, 
I leave you with a little
Steffany Gretzinger...

...and one last verse from Romans:
"Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you will abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit." Romans 15:13

The Five Minute Friday community is the best gathering of Flashmob writers around!  We wait for the one word prompt and we throw caution and hesitation and editing to the wind, and we let our fingers fly and our feelings feel and we just wait and see what flows out in five minutes (or so! Because, grace!) and we hit Publish without second guessing or backspacing! 

Linking up with Kate Motaung and the #fmfparty Community today.  Five Minute Fridays gives us the chance to dive right in and share what He puts on our hearts! Click HERE to read what others have to say about: "OTHER"

The FMF lowdown: The gathering happens on Twitter on Thursday nights & then we write our hearts out & hit publish all over the interwebs on Thursday & Friday (& sometimes on Tuesdays!) It's where we encourage & uplift... where we share prayer requests & praise reports... where we talk food & friends & we find support & kindred hearts. It's where we are reminded that life is good & God is good & we're not alone... & then we all write for five minutes flat, a flash mob of wordsmiths letting our hearts & our fingers do the talking tapping & we hit publish before we can second guess it all away. We'd love to have you join us!

Photo's courtesy of Tj Holowaychuk via Unsplash

I'm also linking up with the lovely writer communities linked below:

Crystal Twaddell for #FreshMarketFriday

Kelly Balarie for #RaRaLinkUp

Barbie Swihart for #Glimpsesofhisbeauty

Jennifer Dukes Lee for #TellHisStory

LORI SCHUMAKER FOR #MOMENTSOFHOPE

A few YEARS AGO, THE LORD SPOKE TO ME AND THROUGH ME REGARDING SABBATH REST. This is such an important message. so I TURNED the 31 DAYS SERIES INTO AN E-BOOK ON AMAZON.  IF YOU ARE FINDING YOURSELF IN NEED OF REST (WHICH --WHO ISN'T, REALLY?) CHECK OUT THIS SHORT, DAILY DEVOTIONAL  31 DAYS OF RESTING IN GOD ...IT'S EASIER/HARDER THAN YOU THINK!  

YOU CAN PURCHASE IT BY CLICKING HERE OR GRABBING IT FROM THE SIDE BAR TO THE RIGHT IF REST IS SOMETHING YOU KNOW YOU NEED, BUT JUST KEEP PUTTING OFF! 

ALSO NOW AVAILABLE: 31 DAYS OF TRUTHS WE KNOW... IT'S JUST THAT SOMETIMES WE FORGET. A MONTH LONG DEVOTIONAL FULL OF TRUTHS THAT WE KNOW, BUT OFTEN NEED TO BE REMINDED OF! WRITTEN IN THE SAME 31 DAY FORMAT, THIS DEVOTIONAL IS FULL OF HOPE AND TRUTH AND INSPIRATION --AND WE COULD ALL USE A HEALTHY DOSE OF ALL OF THOSE THINGS RIGHT ABOUT NOW, RIGHT? 

CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE.