Poor decisions x 1,2,3…
The simple believe anything,
but the prudent give thought to their steps.
Proverbs 14:15
In early September, I made the first of several poor decisions, one after another. I didn’t set out to be so foolish, but my thoughtlessness had consequences. First, while hiking on a wet, rainy day, I made the decision to not stop to get out my hiking poles because I didn’t want to stop in the rain. I told myself poles weren’t necessary, even though my older knees really benefit from using hiking poles to take some of the impact when traversing hard, rocky, steep uphill and downhill slopes. Then, because it was wet and cold even after it stopped raining, my friend and I hiked 6 ½ miles straight through, without stopping to rest or stretch.
Have you ever made a bad decision…or two or three? Of course, you have! We all have. In fact, the Bible is filled with stories of people who made poor decisions. Right from Adam and Eve through Moses and King David and many more. These stories are shared so that we might benefit from the mistakes of others, as well as understand that prudence and wisdom are virtues that God endorses in His word…and all for our benefit. Many actions have natural consequences that follow. Smoking often results in lung cancer as sun exposer without sunscreen can cause skin cancer. Adultery can destroy a marriage. “Smaller” things can wreak havoc too. Gossiping can result in the loss of trust of others and friendships. Envy and jealousness can undermine both relationships and joy in life.
So, what’s a person to do? Consider options carefully. If you know that you should (or shouldn’t) do something, listen to the Holy Spirit whispering caution to you. Think twice. Maybe even three times. Don’t believe that the easiest or most convenient way is the best choice. In other words, be wise.
As for my injured knee, despite all my poor decisions, God graciously led me to just the right urgent ortho care where, even though it was busy, all persons there worked together to get me in immediately…knowing that I had a long-anticipated hiking camping trip coming up in a little over a week. Everyone was so kind, with no judgment. I received care that, with proper follow up, would likely allow me to still hike/camp. And you better believed that I listened to directions and then some. God, in His graciousness, provided doctors and healing so that I was indeed able to go out and resume hiking my Paths of Joy!
