Many seem to think that to trust God is to lose your freedom and be kept from knowing life’s joys. But Paul saw the faith life differently. We can see this when he writes to encourage Galatian believers and remind them “it was for freedom that Christ set us free.”

This truth is present throughout scripture. God doesn’t, nor has He ever, forced obedience on mankind. Having been created in His image, we are free to make choices when confronted with other ways to approach life. But He also made it clear we may choose, but are responsible for the choices we make. When the pressure, expectations or something that sets off our drives seems so high, we sense that somehow we must get control of ourselves. Some may, of course, take the way that is easy or exciting.

To help us, God gives clear directions for choosing the way. If we decide, by weighing our choice to see if it fits with His ways, He promises the decision made will lead to a life free and full of purposeful meaning. If his way is ignored; however, He warns that we will find ourselves dealing with the results. Things that seemed so tremendous or exciting will suddenly prove to be burdensome and have the consequence that can take control of our future.

So how do we make choices? How can we decide when seemingly it’s impossible to weigh all the potential fallout of choice at the moment we have to choose?

Paul’s answer comes after reminding believers to trust God as they live with the world’s pressures. His way to choose rightly is merely this, “I say, walk by the Spirit. Live each step guided by the One that activates God’s truth in our hearts as we trust Him. Then at the moment of decision, He points the way and gives us self-control that we might choose and know life at it’s fullest.

Who controls you?