MAKING DECISIONS

Have you ever had to decide whether to support an idea or oppose it? Life can present us with choices that test our wisdom and our convictions. One picture that can help us make a choice is to watch a tree in a windstorm. The trunk stands firm, refusing to snap, while the branches bend and sway with the wind. This image reminds us that not every issue demands the same response. There are times to be unshakable, like the trunk, and times to be flexible, like the branches.

A wise saying captures this well: “Stand firm on core values, but bend on trifles.” The Apostle Paul told the believers in Ephesus to put on the full armor of God so they could stand strong in their faith. In other words, when it comes to the truth of the gospel, we are to be immovable, rooted, and steady, no matter the storm. Isaiah adds comfort with his words: “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble” (Psalm 46:1). God is not distant; He is present in every storm, guarding and guiding us.

Still, not everything is a battle worth fighting. Sometimes harmony is better preserved by bending on small things, provided our core values remain intact. Compromise can be a gift when it leads to peace without sacrificing truth. As Paul wrote: “Live in harmony with one another” (Romans 12:16).

Today’s challenge is this: ask God for wisdom to know when to stand firm and when to bend. May we respect others, seek peace, and above all, remain faithful to the Lord. Ask the Lord to give you strength to stand firm when your faith is tested, and grace to bend when love calls for patience. Help us discern the difference, so that our lives reflect both truth and compassion.

-G. Yarian