Most of the time I like choices. I want to choose what is best for me. My kids like it when I give them choices even as teenagers. Sometimes, however, I am challenged because none of my choices are good choices. The choices in front of me leaving me wanting a third, fourth, or even fifth option.

Recently, my day started off with a bang or should I say crash. I was on my way to work on a typical gray winter morning. I headed down the country highway when I noticed a car to my right appearing to head to the turn lane. The a car pulls out from the left except it didn’t pull in front of me as expected. It pulled onto the left shoulder. Confused by what was happening, I looked back in my lane and saw a wounded wolf sitting up looking at me. I slammed my brakes knowing I couldn’t stop in time and braced for impact. With a car to my right, on coming traffic and a car on my left, the best choice was not the choice I wanted.  I can only hope that it was an act of mercy.

Sometimes all of the choices in front of us appear bad. We are forced to make hard choices. We may even be wondering where God is in the midst of choosing. We may think that, if God really cared, there would be a better choice. Yet, God is at work in the midst of the hard choice we need to make. We need to draw near to Him.

Draw near to God and He will draw near to you (James 4-8 NIV).

No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love Him (1 Corinthians 2:9 NIV). 

He is alive and working within the complexities of our everyday life.He is guiding our choices knowing the full ripple effect of the choice. I could see the cars to my right and left along with the animal. God could see the suffering of the animal. He could see the next car coming down the road. God knew the best hard choice for me to make in the moment. He knows the best hard choice for you to make when facing a diagnosis, difficult decisions at work, or trying to do what’s best for your family. He can see the good that can come from the choice.

Hard choices can challenge us to the core of our being. In the midst of it the best that I can do is draw near to Him. He will draw near to me.

How do you handle hard choices? What brings you peace in the midst of it? Share your experiences here and breathe life and bring hope to others.