What if I told you there was one thing you could do that would make every choice and decision so obvious that you would never have to second-guess yourself? There is one habit you can cultivate that makes everything else in your life easier and less stressful. The best part is that you already know what it is and how to do it.
The key to always knowing what to do and living with less stress and more joy is to always be obedient to Christ. (John 15:10-11) When we live in the habit of obedience, we will always know what to do because it’s the thing that is consistent with Christ’s character and glorifies Him. (Romans 12:1-2; Ephesians 5:8-10) Things only get blurry when we put our desires before His desires for us.
When we are obedient to Christ, no decision will ever be wrong. If we spend our lives honoring our King, there will never be any regrets. No matter what disappointments we encounter in life, we will know that what we did, we did for His glory and His honor. Talk about a life full of joy! What is better than pleasing the Lord? (2 Corinthians 5:9; Colossians 1:9-10) Here’s the thing about obeying what Jesus tells us to do: He commands us to. (John 14:15; Luke 6:46) When we don’t live in obedience, we are thumbing our nose at Christ and declaring we know better than He does. That’s a recipe for disaster, not peace and joy. (Proverbs 14:12; Isaiah 48:17-18)
The only reason we choose not to be obedient to Christ is because we love sin so much. (John 3:19-20; James 1:14-15) If we reject sin and repent of it, our desire will be for the things of God, not for anything this world has to offer. (Colossians 3:1-5; 1 John 2:15-17) It’s difficult to grow up being taught how much you need and should want the pleasures and niceties of the flesh and then have to learn to reject them all years later. It’s one reason it’s so important to tell children about Christ so you can spare them from the pain of a lifetime of sinful habits.
When we accept Jesus as the Lord that He is and repent of our sins, He makes us a new creation with new desires and passions. (2 Corinthians 5:17; Ezekiel 36:26-27) A converted heart seeks things above over things in the here and now. (Colossians 3:1-2) We live for eternal rewards instead of temporal pleasures. (Matthew 6:19-21; 2 Corinthians 4:17-18) And, of course, the greatest reward is to be with Jesus forever. (Philippians 1:23; 1 Thessalonians 4:17) That is where we need to place our focus. As long as we’re concerned with accumulating status, baubles, and pleasurable experiences, we’ll continue to make bad choices and imperil the eternal destination of our souls. (Mark 8:36-37)
Everything changes when you determine to be obedient to Christ. Such obedience will guide every choice, every decision, every thought, word, and action by the principle of pleasing Him. I’ll admit it’s harder than it sounds, because Satan is going to oppose you at every step. (1 Peter 5:8-9; Ephesians 6:11-12) When tempted, remember Jesus has already defeated our adversary. (Colossians 2:13-15; Hebrews 2:14-15) The only way the Devil can have any victory in our lives is if we invite him to do so. We’ve already won unless we give up and forfeit. (James 4:7; 1 John 4:3-4) Why would you want to give Satan that kind of influence and power in your life?
The way to true peace and joy is to be obedient to Christ. It’s how we are designed to live, and when we violate that design, it causes stress, heartache, and turmoil. Jesus gave His life so that we who were dead in sin could be forgiven and live. (Ephesians 2:4-5; 1 Peter 2:24) All He asks in return is obedience to Him. (John 14:15; John 14:21) The only alternative is death and eternal damnation under His wrath. (Romans 6:23; 2 Thessalonians 1:5-9) It’s a no-brainer of a choice. He loves us beyond measure, and we owe Him everything. Nothing in this world compares to the beauty of our King. (Psalm 27:4; Philippians 3:8) Love and honor Him by being obedient to Him.