How to Recover from Bad Choices

(Hebrews 12:1) Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.

For when you’ve made bad choices...

“God always gives you a

 second chance.”

(Jonah 1:1-5) The word of the LORD came to Jonah: “Go to the great city of Nineveh and preach against it, because its wickedness has come up before me.” But Jonah ran away from the LORD and headed for Tarshish. He went down to Joppa, where he found a ship bound for that port... Then the LORD sent a great wind on the sea, and such a violent storm arose that the ship threatened to break up. All the sailors were afraid and each cried out to his own god. And they threw the cargo into the sea to lighten the ship. But Jonah had gone below deck, where he lay down and fell into a deep sleep.

Every decision we make cost us something.   Every wrong decision impacts others.  Are your decisions bringing you closer to God?

  

How to Recover from Bad Choices

1. Take responsibility for your bad choice.

The first step to getting to the right place is to take responsibility.

(Jonah 1:12) (Jonah said to the sailors)  “Pick me up and throw me into the sea,” he replied, “and it will become calm. I know that it is my fault that this great storm has come upon you.”

God is waiting at our point of crisis to rescue us. 

(Proverbs 28:13 LB) A man who refuses to admit his mistakes can never be successful. But if he confesses and forsakes them, he gets another chance.

2. Repent and turn away from the bad choice you made.

Repentance means you change your mind so deeply that it changes you.

(Jonah 2:9) (Jonah then said) “...What I have vowed I will make good...”

(Acts 3:19) Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord.

You're not a failure until you start blaming others for our mistakes.

3.Embrace God’s grace.

We serve the God of a second chance.

(Jonah 3:1) Then the word of the Lord came to Jonah the second time...

(Hebrews 4:16) Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

Don’t let bad choices define you.

(Romans 8:1) Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.

Don’t let bad choices disqualify you.

God's calling on your life is true.  You may disobey and run, but it does not change God's calling on your life.  

(Romans 8:28) And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

Tom Mullins, Guest Speaking at Church of the Highlands

https://www.churchofthehighlands.com/media/message/jonah 

All scripture is from the New International Version unless otherwise noted.