Play the tape to the end.
“Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap.” Galatians 6:7
Two of our family members were recently involved in a car accident. We are most thankful that all involved were unharmed, the vehicle however, not so much. They were on their way home when another driver suddenly, and without any warning, changed lanes four cars ahead of them cutting off that driver. Of course, this caused the individual to brake sharply, which led to all the other drivers behind having to slam on their brakes and eventually one collided into the other.
Once the police were on the scene and everyone had given their statement it became evident what caused the crash. The outcome of this stressful scene is at least one vehicle needing repairs and another having to be replaced. The part that seems so unfair is, the individual who caused this mayhem is ignorant of the all damages their behaviour caused.
We all make choices and our choices will have consequences. What you do could sometimes affect other people. I like to tell my family to “play the tape to the end”. For me that means think about what the possible outcome of your actions are going to be. Not just the immediate future, but further down the road. How will the choice you make today make or break you later?
Choosing a healthy lifestyle is not just for the immediate consequence of feeling good. It is for the long-term effect on you and those around you. Think carefully about the choices you make everyday and the consequences.