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When I was growing up, I could never have imagined a time when we would have so much choice in almost every area of life.
My parents didn’t ask many questions; they only gave commands. For example, my mother didn’t ask us, “What do you prefer for breakfast?” She would simply say, “Eat your breakfast.” I didn’t have a choice of clothes to wear. There was hardly any choice in life, but life was much simpler.
Today, especially among millennials and Gen Z, people are spoiled with choices. Options and choices sound appealing, but they have definitely made life more difficult and complex. Choices now range from the least important to the most critical aspects of life. You can choose between types of cereal for breakfast or careers for life, from a simple pin to the very kind of baby you want.
People inherently like having choices, but when given too many, they often feel paralyzed and struggle to make the right choice. Choices are not limited to consumption; they can involve authority, courses of action, and virtually all spheres of life.
Choice is like a double-edged sword, so we must use it wisely. C. S. Lewis says, “We either turn heavenly or hellish with each choice we make in life.”
Choices can indeed be critical. On one hand, they offer benefits, but on the other, they have some adverse effects. Though choices have destroyed many, they also have the power to build. Here are a few examples of both.
What are some negative effects?
Choices affect decision-making
Seeing a variety of saris with different patterns and styles can confuse a woman who wants to buy just one. Choices can increase the complexity of decision-making and lead to confusion. This confusion may escalate to conflict. When people are faced with too many choices, they may either avoid choosing by delegating the decision to someone else or oversimplify the decision-making process. Both of these approaches can be harmful to the individual and to others.
Choices affect love and commitment
The twenty-first century faces a dilemma in choice-making, as people are often taught that they can “have it all.” When one relationship doesn’t work or doesn’t bring satisfaction, there is always another choice available. This leads to weak commitments and, often, impure love.
Unsurprisingly, many relationships today are fragile or break apart. True love requires commitment. Freedom of choice in love is not about choosing someone else; it’s about choosing to express love more deeply and make your commitment stronger.
Choices affect development
Developmental psychologists report that limiting toys or games to a small number is actually better for children, whereas an excess of choices may hinder their development. Having too many toys can make a child indecisive and timid. As they switch quickly between different toys, they become unable to engage with one for long enough to learn from it. The sheer number of choices can overwhelm and overstimulate children, making it hard for them to concentrate on any one thing. An abundance of choice often has a demotivating effect.
What are some positive effects?
Choices can inform you
Having choices is good because it brings exposure and experience. Awareness is empowering; one can learn the potential consequences of making both good and bad choices. Choices help one see the big picture and make better decisions. Incomplete information, on the other hand, can be very harmful.
Choices can build confidence
As you become more informed and experienced, your confidence in making choices grows. Mistakes made during decision-making become part of your education. You learn to compare and evaluate your options, which builds confidence.
Choices can mature you
Like challenges or problems that mature some people while destroying others, choices can have similar effects. Some people drown in the sea of options, while others use choices to sharpen their focus. They learn to make wise decisions, and this maturity contributes to their personal growth.
Tips for Making the Right Choices
Be a lover of Jesus
Matthew 22:37 says, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.”
It all starts with focusing on God and loving Him wholeheartedly. Love isn’t just an emotion; it involves action. Jesus said, “If you love me, you will keep my commandments.” Obedience is the test of loving Jesus, and your love for Him will guide you in making right choices.
Have focus in life
Philippians 3:13-14 says, “…But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.”
Proverbs 29:18 says, “Where there is no vision, the people perish.” Without a clear focus or priority, it’s difficult to make the right choices.
Knowing what you want among all options makes it easier to choose. We need choices, but the decision isn’t always between good and bad; it’s often between good and best. You must discern God’s best for you through His Word.
Fight against self
Jesus told His disciples, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must turn from your selfish ways, take up your cross, and follow me.”
Sin has damaged our decision-making ability, shifting our focus from God to self. In Christ, however, the Holy Spirit within us helps us focus on Christ and His love rather than ourselves. We must develop a daily discipline of self-denial. This is an ongoing struggle, as Paul describes in 1 Corinthians 9:27,
“No, I strike a blow to my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.”
Paul says, “I love Jesus, and I have focus, but I must discipline myself to avoid being disqualified for the prize.”
Between life and death, we all have the luxury of choosing from the vast array of options before us. However, one cannot choose life or death itself. God has ordained a time for us to be born and a time to die. The wisest thing in life is to learn to trust in this God who gives life and has the power to take it. Walk with Him daily, grow in His knowledge, and be ready for the time when He calls us home to be with Him.
Pastor Samuel Thomas is the Vice-President of IPCNR. He is the Senior Pastor of The City Fellowship Centre, New Delhi
