Are you at a crossroads?

The journey of life is not always smooth, and it is often filled with uncertainties. At times, you may find yourself unsure of what steps to take next. In those moments, I encourage you not to simply follow what is common or widely accepted by society. Instead, choose to do what is right.

Doing the right thing may not always bring immediate success, joy, or fulfillment, but one thing is certain—we serve a God who rewards righteousness. Even when the results are not immediate, you can rest assured that staying on the right path will ultimately lead to a fulfilling and purposeful outcome..

However, it is important to remember that having the desire to do the right thing without knowing how to go about it can lead to frustration. That is why guidance is essential. If you find yourself struggling to navigate the right course, do not hesitate to seek a mentor—someone who can provide wisdom, direction, and encouragement to help you stay on the right path.

The Bible states, “To do what is right and just is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice” (Proverbs 21:3NIV). This verse highlights the importance of living with integrity and making just decisions. Many problems can be avoided when we choose to do what is right, and in some cases, the need for desperate prayers for deliverance may not even arise. By understanding and applying the principles of righteousness, we can prevent unnecessary hardships and navigate life with greater peace and stability.

Some years ago, I met a brother who had just moved to the United States from an African country where he had been working on his PhD. He arrived on a visiting visa and was searching for ways to stay permanently. Before entering the U.S., he was already married, but unfortunately, many people advised him to marry someone else in order to obtain his immigration documents.

By the time I met him, he had already finalized the fraudulent marriage, and his work permit had been issued. His real wife was present during our conversation, and through just a brief discussion, I learned about the steps he had taken. Without condemning him, and by God’s grace, I counseled him against his decision and encouraged him to trust that doing the right thing would bring him true joy and fulfillment in the long run. His wife, who was still living in Africa, would visit him occasionally but could not stay with him full-time. I honestly didn’t realize at the time that the Lord was speaking through me. However, I could see that his actions would eventually have a negative impact on his marriage.

A few months later, he called me and shared that he had been reflecting on our conversation. He was now contemplating returning to Africa to complete his PhD and trusting God for a better path forward. He ultimately chose to terminate the fraudulent marriage and made the difficult decision to return home.

To be honest, I was both shocked and a bit apprehensive, as I didn’t know what the future held for him. However, I have always believed that doing the right thing leads to a glorious end. Upon returning to Africa, he resumed his PhD program and successfully completed it within a few months.

About a year later, a great and unexpected opportunity opened for him. He is now a professor in one of the Western countries, with his family fully established alongside him. He later called me to testify about God’s faithfulness, expressing his gratitude for the grace to do the right thing. He acknowledged that had he remained in the United States under false pretenses, his family would likely have been torn apart due to the circumstances he was facing at the time.

Doing the right thing is often scary, but it requires faith in God’s faithfulness and the discipline to stand by your values. When he returned to Africa, he did not merely sit back and hope for a miracle—he actively worked toward his goals in the right way.

On the other hand, I met another individual who was already out of status when I met him. He was working without proper immigration documents, but when a new administration took office, he was laid off. He was a highly skilled professional with great potential, someone who should have been making a significant impact globally. However, he is now stuck in a difficult situation, working in undignified jobs far beneath his capabilities. Meanwhile, many of the students he once trained have advanced and are thriving in their careers.

This happened because, when faced with the choice of either returning to his home country or staying illegally, he was too afraid to take the right step. I understand that these are difficult situations, and I will never judge anyone facing such dilemmas. However, nothing compares to the peace and security that come from doing the right thing. I may not know what challenges you are currently facing, but before things spiral out of control, I encourage you to focus on doing what is right. Trust in God’s faithfulness, and as you commit yourself to righteousness, He will make a way for you, even when the path ahead seems uncertain.

To become an individual who consistently chooses to do the right thing, I encourage you to embrace the following principles:

1. Place Value on Yourself: One of the core lessons I teach in ethical leadership is the importance of self-value. If you do not define your values and hold them in high regard, you will inevitably compromise your standards when faced with difficult situations. Many people make poor choices—such as selling their dignity or compromising their integrity—because they fail to recognize the worth that God has placed upon them.

Consider Esau, who sold his birthright for a single meal because he did not value his future (Genesis 25:29-34). His short-term hunger overshadowed the long-term blessing God had given him. The same principle applies to our lives—the value you place on yourself determines what you accept or reject.

There is something I call “the faith to say no.” As a child of God, if you cannot take a stand against what is wrong—especially when it is widely accepted—you haven’t fully understood your value and the principles of faith. When you recognize your worth in Christ Jesus, you gain the strength to refuse anything that contradicts your faith and principles.

2. Commit Your Future into God’s Hands: A major reason many people struggle to do what is right is that they do not fully trust God with their lives. They feel the need to manipulate situations out of fear of an uncertain future. But if you truly believe that God is able to do exceedingly, abundantly above all you can ask or imagine (Ephesians 3:20), why not trust Him completely? Trusting God does not mean being passive. It means putting in the necessary effort while believing that He will direct your steps. When you are assured that God holds your future, you will have the confidence to make the right choices, even when they seem difficult in the moment.

3. Live a Life of Discipline: Compromise often begins with a lack of discipline. Everyone desires success, peace, and fulfillment, but without discipline, you will be pushed into situations where doing the wrong thing seems like the only option. Discipline helps you resist temptation and stand firm in your convictions. It keeps you from cutting corners, engaging in dishonest practices, or making decisions that may bring temporary relief but long-term regret. A disciplined life ensures that your actions align with your values, even when no one is watching.

4. Walk with the Right People: The people you surround yourself with play a significant role in shaping your values and decisions. The Bible says, “He who walks with the wise will be wise, but the companion of fools will be destroyed” (Proverbs 13:20). If you surround yourself with individuals who uphold integrity, you will be encouraged to do the same. However, if you associate with those who justify compromise and dishonesty, you may find yourself following their example. Choose to build relationships with people who inspire you to live righteously, who challenge you to grow, and who remind you of God’s faithfulness even in difficult times.

Conclusion

Life is filled with crossroads, and the choices we make at those moments shape our future. While taking the easy or commonly accepted path may seem tempting, true fulfillment comes from standing firm in righteousness. Though doing the right thing may sometimes feel lonely, inconvenient, or even risky, God’s faithfulness assures us that integrity will always lead to a greater reward in the long run.

The testimonies shared illustrate two contrasting outcomes—one individual chose to trust God, take the right path, and was ultimately elevated, while the other allowed fear to dictate his choices, leading to struggles and setbacks. These examples serve as powerful reminders that our decisions today determine our trajectory tomorrow.

No matter the situation you face, never underestimate the power of obedience, faith, and discipline. Place value on yourself, entrust your future to God, live a life of discipline, and surround yourself with the right people..

However, never assume that simply doing the right thing, without putting in excellent hard work, will yield great results. The responsibility still lies with you to work diligently and commit yourself fully to what you know will produce the right outcome.

In the first illustration, the man was not passive, nor was he merely hoping that things would work out automatically just because he chose to do the right thing. He still had to put in the necessary effort to achieve the right results while doing what was right.

I pray that as you remain steadfast in doing what is right, God will guide your steps, open doors you never imagined, and bless you beyond measure. Choose integrity today, and your future will thank you.