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Previous Challenge Entry (Level 1 – Beginner)
Topic: Guard Your Heart (06/08/12)
Choices

There is a dark side and a bright side to most everything. Do I make friends in a bar and possibly find a mate there? When I was in college, I decided after going to a bar with some friends that I didn’t wanted to tell my children I met their father in a bar so I never went back. Instead I met their father in our campus church.

Life can be very difficult at times. Sometimes it even brings despair to the heart. What do we do then? Unfortunately, a common solution is to drown the trouble and despair in a bottle of alcohol. However, when the mental numbness wears off, there is actually a new problem to deal with; the bottle itself.

When life takes us to new lows, the best place to turn is to our Heavenly Father who alone can see us through to brighter days. He is the light that our soul longs for when our world is dark and hope seems far off. God not only brings us hope, He is hope. Staying close to Him fulfills the longing of our spirit and chases away the fear that otherwise consumes us. The choice of how we deal with life’s hurts and challenges is ours. Will we choose the dark side or the bright side?

There are influences coming at us from many sources: television, movies, internet and other people just to name a few. Again, we must choose what we will allow into our minds and hearts. The dark side of these influences robs us of joy, brings fear and insecurity and turns our thoughts away from God’s light. If we guard against these negative forces, we remain in close connection with our Heavenly Father, and He protects us in body, mind and spirit.

I believe the battle of choices can be summed up best by Proverbs 3:1-2 which reads: “My son, do not forget my teaching, but let your heart keep my commandments; for length of days and years of life, and peace they will add to you.” (NAS)
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Member Comments
Member
Date
Joanne Sher 
06/18/12
Definitely true - our choices are so important, and can make such a difference. Thanks for sharing.
Shann Hall-LochmannVanBennekom 
06/19/12
This is a great piece. You make some wonderful points. Not many college students would have the foresight to know they don't want to tell their children that they met their father in a bar. You have a lot of wisdom packed in this small piece. My favorite line was God not only brings hope; He is hope. Wow that is a powerful message and the exact words I need to hear right now.
C D Swanson 
06/20/12
This short story managed to pack in a "powerful message" and it touched my heart. Nicely done. Thank you.

God bless~