“In a nutshell, QBQ is making better choices in the moment by asking better questions.” – John G. Miller

“I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing; therefore choose life, that both you and your descendants may live” (Deuteronomy 30:19b)

In your research, what have you found dealing with the power of choice?

On August 16, Dr. Charlene Phillips replied to my devotional sent earlier that day titled “How to Live an Effective Prayer Lifestyle.” She said, “What a great devotional today! In your research and/or writings, what have you found dealing with the power of choice? Christians making the right choices, choosing God as their foundation, and thus bringing balance to their lives when everything else seems to be out of balance.”

I responded, “More than anything else, God demands our obedience – to His Word and to the quiet, still voice of the Holy Spirit. The Bible makes it clear that there are blessings of obedience and curses of disobedience. Personal accountability is extremely important. Each of us is responsible to make right choices. While the results are up to God, He definitely rewards obedience. We may not always see the fruit during our lifetime, but God never forgets.”

In his book “QBQ!”, John Miller says:

The idea that we are accountable for our own choices and are free to make better ones is fundamental to the QBQ. Sometimes people think they have no choice. But we always have a choice. Always. Even deciding not to choose is making a choice.

One of the guiding principles of the QBQ is “The answers are in the questions.” If we ask a better question, we get a better answer. So the QBQ is about asking better questions. But how can we tell a good question from a bad one? What does a better question look like? QBQ’s: 1) Begin with “What” or “How” (not “Why,” “When,” or “Who.”); 2) Contain an “I” (not “they,” “them,” “we,” or “you”); 3) Focus on action. “What can I do?” for example, follows the guidelines perfectly.

Don’t’ ask “Why”: (e.g. “Why has this happened to me?”) Anyone can fall into the “Why” trap. That’s victim thinking. The best thing we can do to get rid of victim thinking in our world is to get rid of it in ourselves.

Stress is a choice. Yes bad things happen. Life is full of bad things. But still, stress is a choice because whatever the “trigger event,” we always choose our own experience. Stress is also the result of our choices.

We need to develop a repertoire of responses so we’re prepared when our engine unexpectedly quits. When faced with a new situation, take action and solve the problem.

Questions that begin with “When” lead to procrastination. Procrastination is a sneaky problem. We put something off until a little later, and then a little later, and a little later again until, before we know it, the action has been postponed so long that it has become a serious problem. Putting things off means precious time is lost. Productivity suffers. The team may not progress toward its goal. Deadlines are missed. Procrastination is the friend of failure. Let’s take care of the little things while they’re still little.

Prayer Power
Heavenly Father, thank You for exposing me to this powerful message from John G. Miller. Teach me to make better choices by asking better questions. I don’t want to play the blame game. I want to be an answer to the problem, not part of the problem. Thank You Jesus. Amen.

Link of the Day
Photos from Rize Up’s Back to School Day on August 18, 2007 [www.yourdailyblessing.com/content.cfm?id=2416]

Blessings to make better choices by asking better questions!