THERE I WAS ON MY HANDS AND KNEES sprawled across a downtown sidewalk. I had just been assaulted by a gang of troublemakers. I didn't know whether I should respond in fear, get angry, or feel victimized. Then, as I got to my feet, it dawned on me that I didn't have to choose any of those responses.
It might seem strange to say that you have a choice about how you feel. After all, emotions like helplessness, hatred, and disgust often seem uncontrollable or inevitable. But I've found that one really can choose how to react—even in the most distressing situations.
"Choose you this day whom ye will serve," Josh. 24:15. is how the Bible puts it. Even though it can sometimes be challenging, I've learned that serving God, expressing His attributes to the best of my ability, always makes me feel better—and it has the advantage of healing both mind and body. By contrast, I've found that holding on to hatred never produces worthwhile results. That is serving something beneath us, submitting to a false authority that means us no good.
