This brings us to the next thought on Integrity: building our character so we can be honest and trustworthy individuals.

In order to be a person of Integrity we have to realize that we need to think ahead before making a decision. We must allow ourselves time to think outside of ourselves and beyond our initial feelings and thoughts. As an individual (yes, me) who loves to be spontaneous, that can be a real nose dive. Ugh!

However, through real life experience and a Pastor who loved me enough to tell me, we need to realize that every choice - right or wrong, good or bad- has a consequence.

Every choice you make in life will come with a consequence, good or bad. We look at consequences as having a bad connotation. However, consequences can be good, and even very rewarding.

So, before you jump on board with those (A.) and (B.) candidates or stay in one of those categories as in our previous discussion in Section 1, it might be worth reflecting on (C.) for a while. You might find this much more rewarding in the end.

One of the reasons we don’t usually want to go to (C.) is it looks like a long hard road to get there and a lot of pit stops on the way. Especially, since we have lived in (A.) and (B.) for so long. Your right, the road is long and hard. However, the outcome is much more rewarding.

So as my Pastor told me, you can either deal with the consequences now or later. You will still have to deal with them. So, in my perseverance personality and the grace of God - it drove me to deal with them. I don’t want to know I am going to have to face something later. And yes, it has been a very hard and long road with a lot of pit stops. However, now it is a very rewarding road and even pleasant to be on. Do I still have some things to deal with? Yes, but as I am faithful to face the situations, God is faithful to carry me through. I am then able to learn to live life to its fullest rather than living in constant fear.

He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. (Heb 11:6)

So, where do we start? Start with what is in front of you. You need to find a good support network, church, friends, or colleagues. People you can trust and who will hold you accountable.

OK, here is the big one: accountability. Don’t ask someone to hold you accountable if you are just going to spit in their face and tell them that they don’t know what they are talking about. If you make the decision to have someone hold you accountable - you and only you have to be willing to grab a hold of your knees and take the swat. Otherwise you will stay where you are and nothing will change.

One thing you will find as you share with trusted persons, that sometimes we don’t see things as clearly as we might think. We just need a new perspective and/or the next steps to overcome. Talking through things brings new understanding. It also allows us to see where our thinking or mindset is wrong or needs adjusted.

. . .my people are destroyed from lack of knowledge. . . Hosea 4:6

Then you will understand what is right and just and fair–every good path. Proverbs 2:9