DON’T BE ANOTHER ESAU
Many of us are in the wrong or right places based on our decisions and choices of yesterdays and yesteryears. Most of us took those decisions or choices based on circumstances around us at those points in time. And now we are living out the product of those decisions or choices; because what we think, what we choose, and what we do is who we become. Many had heard the story of Esau and Jacob but ended up labeling Jacob a cheat. But I beg to differ; Jacob is not a cheat, Esau only got the end result of his decision or choice.
Esau preferred the pleasure or satisfaction of his stomach to his future by the choice he made. He was not pressurized or cajoled by his brother to make the choice. His comment was, “and what profit shall this birthright do to me?” He negotiated his birthright with what can satisfy his stomach for that moment. So God would not allow him receive the blessing of his birthright having sold it out to his brother. In our daily lives negotiations are going on at different levels in different forms. But you and I need to be very sensitive so that we do not short change ourselves with things that would jeopardize our future or even kill us.
Some of us are very vulnerable when we are hungry. Most of the time our sense of judgment gets overruled by the urge to satisfy or quench our hunger. Many had compromised their stands just for what would enter their stomach. Many had been bought over with food. Many had revealed top secrets because of food. Many are doing wrong things knowingly just to satisfy their appetite for food. I have heard many robbers confess during interrogations that hunger caused them to take to stealing. Many girls living in brothels claim that hunger was part of what kept them there. Even in the religious circle many had compromised because of what would enter their belly. Always have the future in mind when you want to take some decisions or make choices. Do not let hunger make you take decisions and make choices that would affect you in the long term. Beware of the spirit of Esau!
Do not make critical decisions or choices when you are tired. We do not need to make important decisions when we are tired and deserve rest. Those decisions might not be flawless at the end. I told a friend that a tired man is a tired mind. Some people can give go-ahead orders when they are tired in cases they would have turned down. Some had made regrettable decisions or choices because of fatigue. Your sense of judgment is not that accurate whenever you are tired and need some rest. You can leave that decision for another day or time instead of making costly mistakes in your tired state. It is not good to negotiate for anything concerning your future or about finances when you are tired; you have the tendency to give in to terms or conditions that may affect you adversely in the long term. During your tired moments, shelve vital decisions making and weigh your choices.
Anger is madness for a short while. Your reactions when you are angry can be compared to insanity. You lose your mind when you are angry or really upset. Most of your actions are not calculated or articulated properly. It is most unfortunate that most of us make critical or vital decisions when we are angry. Most of us had regretted most of the decisions we took when we were upset. Many relationships were broken out of anger. Many went back to beg for forgiveness when it dawned on them that their momentary madness had caused great damage. Even the high and the mighty are not exempted from this momentary madness. Most leaders had taken some rash decisions just the very moment they got upset and had to live with the regrets of their actions the rest of their lives. Beware!
Lonely moments can be dangerous moments also. They said an idle mind is the devil’s workshop. King David made the decision to take somebody’s wife in his lonely moments. Most young people are very vulnerable when they are lonely. Even married folks are vulnerable when they are not with their partners; they may make decisions that can hurt their marriages and future in those moments. Many travelers who lodge in hotels far from their place of abode may be tempted because of loneliness to look for women or men of easy virtue to keep them company. Lonely moments had cost some folks their future. Some people also had made terrible mistakes while they were excited or happy. Herod agreed to give the head of John the Baptist on a platter because he was excited and carried away in a party mood. I have seen some folks do absurd things in the name of celebration.
Do not be another Esau. Do not over look the future effect of your actions. Think before you act or say things. Your action today can ruin your tomorrow. Do not act on impulse. Don’t belittle your future to satisfy your appetite today. Don’t make vital decisions in your moments of madness, when you are drunk or over excited.
ARINZE ALINNOR A.
P. O. BOX 17985, IKEJA – LAGOS.
08033001782, 01-8964893
