Choosing your Result

We all make choices — every day — that shape the direction of our lives. The Bible reminds us:

“Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows.” Galatians 6:7

So, what kind of result are you sowing toward?

Think of it like this: a smoker learns in school that smoking is bad. He knows there are better ways to deal with stress, that he doesn’t need to be influenced by peers, society, or “family traditions.” He has seen the pictures, the results, the lives of those who have smoked — and yet, given free will, he still smokes.

Some might say, “Yeah, that’s understandable.”

But what about his friends who don’t smoke and end up with lung cancer? Even though they never smoked a day in their life, they surrounded themselves with that environment — their lungs had to work overtime to deal with something they were not used to. And what about the children? If you smoke around them, now they may suffer illnesses that could have been avoided.

Factories built in certain areas put many people at risk, and they die not because of God, but because of the selfish desires of people in power. We suffer at the hands of one another. Some results in life aren’t fair. But they are still results.

Majority of the time, however, we choose not to encounter Christ, place ourselves in environments where we can’t, or are born into situations where we can’t feel Him. But if you know His name, learn His Word, and choose His way, you begin to live intentionally. It’s easy and understandable in given situations to say stress, a way of life, generation, or pressure caused it, but remember:

The definition of “result” is “occur or follow as the consequence of something.” 

With that being said, some results of life are beyond man, like miscarriage, natural disaster or sudden illness, but our answer can be the result of how God shapes our lives, our response can dictate our imitacy with Christ. Your pain is seen and is real, but it is not constant. God is, even in that situation. You need to ask yourself, especially in hardship;

What do you want your result in this life to be?

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.” — Proverbs 3:5-6

I always say the one who made it out, even though his circumstances told a different story, made a choice, let God write your story, which was written before your birth. We cannot just be reacting to life — a life God planned. We are made in His image, and He is intentional and so must we be.

"So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them." Genesis 1:27

Not all suffering is easy to explain. Loss of a child. Missed opportunities. Death. Trauma. Saying “It’s part of God’s plan” can feel hollow or even offensive. It's okay to feel the weight of it, it's natural to struggle hearing someone say "It's God's plan".

But here's the truth: God avenges what was caused by man, and He remains God through every disaster — even when we cannot understand why it has happened. And if you're reading this, it means you’ve survived something. You’re still here.

"God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble" Psalm 46:1

We often say, “You know who your real friends are in hard times.” So, ask yourself:

Are you a friend to God in hard times?

God can handle your anger. Your questions. Your grief. But never lose your faith, because truly it is the confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. Faith is only proven when it’s required.

Choose to be intentional about your walk with God. Choose Him because you want to as much as you have to, not just because you are in need due to a reactive situation.

It’s not bad to encounter Him for the first time in crisis, but if the only time you require/come to Him is then, are you serving God, or is God serving you?

Yet, still, how amazing that He still clothes and protects us — even in disobedience, like He did for Adam and Eve. But remember: God seeks our spirit, and Jesus died to restore our spirit to Him.

"God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.” John 4:24

If you only know His hand, will you recognise His face when He returns? It is not just about choosing Jesus Christ, but knowing Him as well.

Closing Prayer:

Dear Heavenly Father,

Thank You for being Jehovah Jireh — my provider and sustainer. You serve me even when I fall short, and Your eyes are always on me. I pray I choose You daily — in every decision, every thought, and every motive. Show me where I’ve strayed from intentional living, and help me mirror You in every area of my life. I don't want to perish for lack of knowledge — teach me, correct me, lead me. You’ve been a faithful friend in every season. I promise to worship You — not just in joy, but in pain. Even in my confusion or frustration, I will choose You, because You first chose me.

Thank You, Jesus. Thank You, God.

Amen.