Decisions, decisions

I am not sure about you but sometimes we need to make tough choices in life and we are not sure what to do. Last night in youth we took a look at Joseph, Mary's husband and the toughest choice he probably had to make in life. He had to decide what he was going to do with Mary, the one who was pregnant and the one he was clearly not the father of.


When we read his story in Matthew Chapter 1:28-35, we see that he was troubled as to what to do. Eventually he knew what to do because of a dream that he had. I can only imagine the struggle he went through in trying to do the right thing. Here are five things that I think made him make the right decisions. 


Maybe these will help you to make the right decision too.


1) He was a righteous man. In other words He lived to honor God. He knew that his decision needed to reflect his commitment to God. If we are God followers we will want to honor God with our choices.


2) He was a caring man. We read that no matter what he did he did not want to embarrass, humiliate or bring pain to Mary. We should always consider how are decisions impact other people. Sometimes we get so focused on what is best for us that we forget what impact our decision will have on others, especially our families.


3)He was a patient man. God's word says that he did not make a quick decision, he prayed, thought about and really weighed what needed to be done. In life we tend to make bad choices when we make reactive decisions. It is best to take your time, ask others that are wiser than yourself, spend time in prayer and His Word before reacting. Joseph could have heard the news and reacted and walked away on the spot but he didn't. I like that!


4) He was obedient. After his dream, one that made it clear what he was supposed to do, he did what he was told to do. This is where the rubber hits the road. We can be Godly, caring and patient, seek lots of good advice but still in the end not do what we should do. Once we know the right thing to do, then we need to do it.


5) He was self disciplined. You see even after he was married to Mary and before Jesus was born, Joseph chose not to have sexual relations with his wife. He could have, but he chose to honor God with his discipline. He loved her so much but in his heart he knew he needed to wait. How about you and I, do we have the discipline to do what is right or are we swayed by the latest trends or cultural pressures?


I hope this assists you, as it has me! I want to make good and Godly decisions, I want to care about others, be patient, wait on him and then have the discipline to DO what he says!