It’s that time of year. Spring is full of a multitude of people making choices and making them loudly for the world to see. Graduates moving to the next step, teens deciding to take on a job for the first time, parents making plans for their kids’ summer activities. Choices and decisions abound in the springtime. Lately, I’ve had several conversations with clients who have been presented with a variety of choices too. Choices about jobs, school opportunities, or the promise of new relationships. Several of these individuals have become overwhelmed in working through these decisions. After the difficult year that we’ve all felt a little stuck in, being given options has been frazzling and riddled with fear for many. These clients and I have walked through the consequences of different options and while I have (frustratingly, I am sure) not made the choices for them, for the most part they’ve taken action. They’ve made a choice for their betterment.
Frequently in the counseling office we come to crossroad moments where clients must make a choice. At times, this is where counseling can break down because making that choice (and my not making it for them) will often require several things of the client—taking responsibility, a level of self-awareness, advocating for oneself, and the ability to be ok with the unknown. Making choices can be difficult, but the decision not to decide carries with it just as many dangerous and detrimental consequences.
We make thousands of decisions each and every day. If we overthink them, we will realize that each and every micro-choice we make has consequences. Therefore, it follows that making choices requires some level of risk. Do I switch lanes in traffic? Should I eat these leftovers? What school should I go to for college? What job should I take? When should I pay off that student loan? Is this person the right person to marry? All choices involve a level of risk.
Because of the risk, when it comes to making choices, many people can easily become paralyzed with worry and chronic ‘what if’ thinking. Worry unfortunately does not have a memory. Several research studies have been done connecting anxiety to memory loss—the evidence indicates that individuals with severe anxiety struggle with memory loss. What is one of the leading causes of anxiety? Indecision. When we are in a place of worry, we can easily forget all of the times that we’ve made good choices or solved our problems in the past because we are too consumed with the worry of ‘what if.’ To this dilemma I bring you a profound reminder from one of my favorite teachers, Jen Wilkin: “The Lord governs all outcomes and he can make you look more like Christ whether you make a bad choice or a good choice.”
Convicting, right? I might say that I trust that the Lord will use my circumstances for good, but do I really believe that? When we allow fear, worry, doubt, anxiety, or the unknown to paralyze us from making a choice we are implicitly stating “I am in control, I’ve got this. I can determine the outcome.” We believe (despite evidence all around us indicating otherwise) that we are somehow in control and that our one imperfect choice could topple everything in the cosmos. When I say it out loud, it’s laughable. We know the truth; we just don’t live it out. At times we use this inaction as an excuse: “Well, God hasn’t shown me the right school, so I just won’t go,” or “I haven’t been called to serve in that job, so I’ll just wait until my dream job comes along.” Living in the ‘what if’ is a place of fear and an excuse for inaction. We are created to do things, to work and to contribute to society, and sometimes that means just going out and DOING something.
Conversely, making all choices flying by the seat of our pants without any research or education is just as damaging and can cause long-term negative results. Again, taking calculated risks, knowing that sometimes the ‘right’ choice is not easy (in fact, oftentimes it is not), and knowing that we will make mistakes helps us grow. If we want to grow, we must make changes, rather than live our life in stagnant holding patterns waiting for someone else to choose for us. Furthermore, even when we make what we think is the right choice, sometimes God does not give us the results we expect. The larger narrative of God’s story—and remember, we are not the main character in that story—is vastly bigger than we can comprehend and the negative result of a choice I’ve made today, might not look so negative in 5 years. Or ten. Or, it could take longer.
So do yourself a favor. Don’t be stagnant. Make choices. Take calculated risks. Work to build your trust in Christ’s bigger picture for your life, rather than your limited view of what seems best right now.
I think we can now say Spring is officially here! We want to thank each of you for the part you play in allowing us to provide high-quality, affordable counseling services for at-risk children and families. We couldn’t do it without you and the life change you help provide through your giving is making a generational impact!
Thank you, Rudy & Stacy Blahnik, for your generous donation given through United Way on your behalf.
A special thanks to Athena Brattin for hosting a successful Facebook birthday fundraiser on our behalf.
Thank you to our Sporting Clay Tournament Raffle Sponsors: John & Keshia Otradovec, Ann Svensson, C.R. Sales Firearms, Dick’s Sporting Goods, Scheels, Home Depot Lee’s Summit and The Kansas City Mavericks.
Thank you, Rotary Club of Eastern Independence, for your generous grant. We are so grateful for our community of partners.
A big shout out to all of our Sporting Clay Tournament teams.
A special Thank You to our faithful monthly supporters: Brandon & Vanessa Blanchard, Cory Young, Jenny Glasgow, Craig & Samantha Compton, Roger & Jennifer Madsen, John & Vicki Hefner, Tamara Stroud, Church at Coffee Creek, Stone AMP SEO, John & Keshia Otradovec, Zane & Melissa Morerod, Matt & Kristy Newton, Jondy & Heather Britton, Rick & Jan Britton, Nancy Shea, Diane Smith, Rick & Kathy Daulton, Scott & Lydia Hurley, Kevin Quinn, Dan & Gigi Rippee, Mark & Cathy McGaughey, Mike & Tracy Pruitt, Lee & Debbie Miller, Linda Hartman, Lone Jack Baptist Church, Brent & Amanda Miller, Clayton & Pam Wooldridge, Demi Raveill, Stan & Deb Oglesby, Jeff & Lacey Cherry, Andre & Rose Fantasma, Jon & Naomi Thompson, Jon Brody, Dave & Rosie Bourland, and Greg & Jennifer Spears.
We appreciate you!
If you would like to become a partner, please visit our Donate page or contact Athena Brattin at athena@peacecounseling.org or call 816.272.0653.
If you are interested in joining us for our Sporting Clay Tournament this Thursday you still have time to register a team or as an individual. We would love to have you, so follow the link below and sign up!
REGISTRATION:
Team Registration – 4 Person ($500)
Individual Team Registration ($125): Playing on a team but paying fees individually.
Individual Registration ($150): Individual shooter, not yet on a team. Will be placed on a team prior to event.
REGISTER NOW for our 5th Annual Golf Classic on Thursday, September 23, 2021 at Adams Pointe Golf Club in Blue Springs. This is a sold-out event every year, so start getting your team together.
2021 Golf Tournament Silent Auction Packages Needed! Peace Partnership would like to invite you, your friends, and family to create a Package for our 2021 Silent Auction. Your package will help us raise funds so we can continue to help those in need, by providing quality mental health care at affordable rates to an underserved community. We are also accepting other new donated items for our silent auction.
How Do I Make A Silent Auction Package?
Pick a “theme” for your package.
Ask each participant to bring an item that fits the theme.
Items can be merchandise, gift cards, entertainment, services, etc.
The package should be valued at $50 or more.
Here Are Some Ideas To Get You Started!
Amazon Gift Card
Apple Products
Country Club Plaza Gift Card
Grill-Out Package
Home Decor
Date Night Package
Spa Day
Sports Memorabilia
Outdoors Package
Yeti Products
Car Guru Package
Fitness Package
For questions or package drop off, please contact Athena Brattin at athena@peacecounseling.org or call 816-272-0653.
