CHOICE - The Space Between Thoughts

Woman sat thinking on top of a mountain

Recently I was listening to a podcast when I heard this quote:

“Between stimulus and response there is a space.
In that space is our power to choose our response.
In that response lies our growth and our freedom”

It is a quote by Victor Frankl, a holocaust survivor and renowned neurologist & psychiatrist.

When I heard the quote it sent shivers down my spine. I was half listening to the podcast on my walk to work, paying attention to the natural beauty of the canal, but when I heard this quote it gripped me. I knew that it had power, that it resonated with where I was.

When we are exposed to a stimulus, we are immediately struck by a sea of emotions and thoughts, brought on by all of our life experiences, as well as the hard-wiring in our genes.

These emotions and thoughts lead us to want a particular response, to react in a certain way; whether that is to run or hide, or strike back, or hug someone, or buy a donut.

However before we come to this action, we have a moment, a moment where we can choose what that response is.

Whether it is going to be destructive or redemptive.
Whether it will sow discord or peace.
Whether it will give death or life.

As followers of Christ, when we are faced with this choice we know what path we must choose. It must be the path that honours the God image within us, the path that makes the world a little brighter.

As you go about your day today, may you pause between stimulus and response, may you find the path that gives life, and may you walk it.


What opportunities can you think of to catch these thoughts and make powerful decisions? I would love to know what you come up with, leave a comment below.

 Image Credit
Denys Nevozhai

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