Are You Choosing Your Battles Wisely?

“I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves” Matthew 10:16

    I have learned over the years that I must guard my physical, mental, and emotional resources and use them carefully and wisely. My health issues do not leave me with any surpluses of energy, so I must be wise about how I expend my limited resources and abilities.

    One of my favorite sayings is “Choose your battles wisely.” And I have tried to live by that, especially since my health issues became life changing. I cannot afford to get involved in senseless debates or arguments, especially not with friends and family. If I stand my ground on an issue, I make very sure it is an issue that requires me to do so.

    But beyond debates, arguments, and conflicts, illness forces me to carefully choose anything and everything that takes precious energy and strength away from me. There is no room for wasted effort, or useless application of my limited resources. This is a good practice not only for those who are ill, but for everyone.

    In this life there is so little we have control over, especially when it comes to illness and disease, so when it comes to things we can control, where we can invoke our choices, we should do so wisely.

    I would encourage you to take stock of your physical and mental resources, and to carefully consider where you want to expend your energy and abilities. There is so much in life we should avoid when it comes to the limited energy and resources we have. God helps us, giving us strength and encouragement, yet He expects us to use good judgment and not squander His help.

    In life some choices are taken from you, yet there are other things you make decisions about, and in those situations it is best to choose our battles wisely.

    Prayer: Dear Lord, help us not to be unwise, but to always choose our battles wisely. Amen.