I Choose

by Max Lucado in his book When God Whispers Your Name

Thanks to Annamarie Kresge in Virginia for sending this!

In a few moments the day will arrive. It come roaring in with the rising of the sun. The dawn's stillness will be exchanged for the noise of the day. The calm solitude will be invaded by decisions and deadlines. For the next twelve hours, I will be exposed to the day's demands. 

Now I must make a choice. Because of Calvary, I'm free to choose. And so:

I CHOOSE LOVE...No occasion justifies hatred; no injustice warrants bitterness. Today I will love God and what God loves.

I CHOOSE JOY...I will invite God to be the master of circumstances. I will refuse the temptation to be cynical, the tool of the lazy thinker. I will refuse to see people as anything less than human beings created by God. I will refuse to see any problem as anything less than an opportunity to see God.

I CHOOSE PEACE...I will live forgiven. I will forgive so that I may live.

I CHOOSE PATIENCE...I will overlook the inconveniences of the world. Instead of cursing the one who takes my place, I'll invite him to do so. Rather than complain that the wait is too long, I will thank God for a moment to pray. Instead of clenching my fist at new assignments, I will face them with joy and courage.

 
I CHOOSE KINDNESS...I will be kind to the poor, for they are alone. Kind to the rich, for they are lonely. And kind to the unkind, for such is how God has treated me.

I CHOOSE GOODNESS...I will be broke before I'll take a dishonest dollar. I will be overlooked before I will boast. I will confess before I will accuse.

 
I CHOOSE FAITHFULNESS...Today I will keep my promises. My debtors will not regret their trust. My associates will not question my word. My spouse will not question my love. And my children will never fear that I will not come home.

 
I CHOOSE GENTLENESS...Nothing is won by force. I choose to be gentle. If I raise my voice may it be only in praise. If I clench my fist, may it be only in prayer. If I make a demand, may it be only of myself.

 
I CHOOSE SELF-CONTROL...I am a spiritual being. After this body is dead, my spirit will soar. I refuse to let what will not, rule the eternal. I will be drunk only by joy. I will be impassioned only by my faith. I will be influenced only by God. I will be taught only by Christ.

 
LOVE, JOY, PEACE, PATIENCE, KINDNESS, GOODNESS, FAITHFULNESS, GENTLENESS AND SELF CONTROL Gal.5:22,23

 
To these I commit my day. If I succeed, I will give thanks. If I fail, I will seek His grace. And then, when this day is done, I will place my head on my pillow and rest with the peace that passes all understanding.