The Differences Between Mistakes and Poor Choices

Many people do not understand the difference between a mistake and a choice.  Andy Andrews in this book The Noticer give us a great example.

“If you are lost, wandering through a forest in the dark, unable to see, unaware that a cliff is nearby, and you stumble off the cliff and break your neck, that is a mistake. 
But let’s say it’s broad daylight. You are meandering about in a forest you’ve been told never to enter. There are No Trespassing signs everywhere, but you think you can slip in and slip out and not get caught. Now, again let’s say you fall off a cliff and break your neck…that, my friend, was not a mistake. It was a conscious choice.” (Pg. 117-118)

Wrong doing by choice demands you "Bring forth therefore fruits worthy of repentance." You do so by making right choices and by accepting personal responsibility for the wrong. 

Take Ownership

Take ownership of your mistakes. Never try to blame others; and never try to cover them up! You will only compound the problem with more mistakes and lose the respect of others. Confess your mistakes. You will be a better person for doing so.

“A man can fail many times, but he isn't a failure until he begins to blame somebody else.” -John Burroughs

If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us. -1 John 1:10 

This nugget of wisdom is from Pastor Jim's book For His Glory: A Kaleidoscope of Wisdom. Check it out and order your copy today.  

Drive Only Your Car and Live Only Your Life

You can only drive one car at a time. Drive your car.  Many automobile accidents could be avoided if drivers would heed this simple fact.  Accidents occur when one driver assumes he or she knows what the other driver is going to do.  For example, you assume the other driver sees you or you may assume he or she has perfect control of their car.  When you begin driving for the other guy, you become a foolish driver. You can only drive one car at a time. 

This principle is true concerning life. You can only live your life and should never try to live someone else’s life. You really have all that you can handle living your own life. That is a little difficult especially when someone you love appears to be making the wrong choices. Nevertheless, the principle stands true. You cannot live for someone else.

You can, however, pray for that person; and if given the opportunity, you can attempt to influence them through love. Remember that you have no control over their life. You have all you can handle living your life. 

So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God. Romans 14:12

You might find this article helpful: No Backseat Driver Needed!