Give careful thought to your ways.

.......Give careful thought to your ways. Haggai 1:5

.......Give careful thought to your ways. Haggai 1:7

Fight the good fight of the faith. 1 Tim 6:12

These are great guidelines, don't you think? I needed them a few months ago. I had an event that I needed to evaluate. I have done that. I believe I fought the good fight of the faith and that I wouldn't change my ways on this issue even knowing what I know now. Actually, I feel proud of the outcome. People will be served who were not going to be served.

Haggai is the prophet God uses to warn us to give careful thought to our ways (see 1:5 and 1:7). Paul instructs Timothy to fight the good fight in 1 Tim 6:12. If we give careful thought to our actions before acting, we will be able to fight the good fight of faith. This goes hand in hand with think before you speak. That is not always an easy thing to do. I often open mouth and insert my foot, inflicting all kinds of needless pain and regret. I'm pretty sure I'm not the only on in that boat.

But if we are careful about our ways (and words), we have the tools to fight the good fight because we have already thought it through. Careful thought means that we consider the ramifications and alternatives. We evaluate the risks of both the action and the inaction. We take time to process potential outcomes. When we include a Christ-like attitude and respect for God in that process, we will make the right decision. One that God will guide and bless.

God, please help me to carefully consider my ways and to act in ways that I can defend in the good fight for Your name's sake. Amen.

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