If you are going to be happy it's not always going to be automatic, you'll have to choose to be happy on purpose.
The good news is that God wants you to be happy. Jesus said, "The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give you a rich and satisfying life.” (John 10:10)
“These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full” - Jesus (John 15:11, ESV)
Everyone has been through hurts and disappointments, and you can use these things as an excuse to be depressed and sad. Or you can choose to be happy and not wait for circumstances to be exactly how you'd like them to be. Because there will always be a reason for you not to be happy.
However, if you have a good attitude now, it acts like a seed God will use to change things. You may not have your dream job, the relationship you want, live in the house or have the bank balance you desire, but you can choose to be happy while these things are being worked on.
God is good, he wants better, bigger, and brighter things for your life than you think. (Ephesians 3:20)
When you choose to receive his joy and have a great attitude God says He will give you beauty for your ashes and turn things around for your good. (Isaiah 61:3)
All of heaven is at work maneuvering and planning amazing things for your life. Nothing is too insignificant for him to be concerned and interested in and nothing is too difficult or impossible for him to help you achieve. When you are happy it brings him joy. It’s why he says, take heart, everything is going to work out, fix your thoughts on those things that are good, pure, lovely, and worth shouting about and to rejoice in the day He is made. He makes all things work together for your good. Not just a few things but ALL things!
Psalm 16:11 “You will show me the path of life; in Your presence is fullness of joy; at Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.”
John 15:11 “These things have I spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full.”
The Bible says joy comes in the morning. (Psalm 30:5 NIV) Every morning God sends a fresh supply of joy. But it’s up to you whether you receive your daily dose or let circumstances and negative thoughts steal your joy.
When you wake up in the morning ask yourself “Do I want to live depressed or happy? I choose to live happy?
Circumstances may scream there is nothing to be happy about. But the reason we can be happy is God is on the throne. We can be happy that the most powerful being in the universe is on our side. Nothing he has ordained for you can be stopped if you align yourself with His plan.
He is our vindicator, healer, and provider and he loves you. You are hand-picked to be here for such a time as this. You are more than a conqueror, the head and not the tail, a winner and not a loser. He chose you to be alive today. You and I are not here by accident.
One way you honour God is to choose to be happy. This day is a gift from God and He’s given you a responsibility to live it the best way you can.
Paul in the Bible went through a lot of trials. Imprisoned, beaten, shipwrecked, bitten by a deadly snake, and rejected by his people. One day Paul was having a particularly difficult time; shipwrecked, swept into a stormy ocean, having to struggle wet and tired ashore, and then to top it off being bitten by a deadly snake. But then happy days, something good happened and he got to pray for a sick man which resulted in his healing. Then Paul was able to share about Jesus with lots of others which saw everyone else who was sick on the Island healed too.
He overcame by thinking himself happy and expecting Jesus to do something great in the midst of his circumstances. (Phil 4:13) You can think yourself into a bad mood, think of yourself as a victim, and be depressed, or like Paul says, “I’m going to think myself happy and believe”.
“My latter days will be better than my former days. I’m going to fulfil my purpose today. Something good is going to happen.”
One day your life will be over, but what sort of life would you have lived? If you start to see that each day has the potential to be one of your best days ever, it’ll help you choose how to find the good in it.
Connect with Jesus and instead of arguing with him about your life, start agreeing with what he says in His word.
Hang around with happy, faith-filled people, listen, and look at those things that are beautiful, good, and praiseworthy. There are a lot of amazing, wonderful people, places, and experiences all around us.
This is the day the Lord has made, let’s be glad and rejoice in it. Something good is going to happen today.
Today has the potential to be your best day ever.
You can also listen to my brand new podcast, Deeper, on my website and on all major streaming platforms. Check out this week's podcast - "Lift your expectations" live now on my website.
Prayer: Lord, thank you for this day that you have made. Please help me to keep my eyes and heart fixed on you today and on all the amazing, great people, opportunities, and experiences you have for me to walk in. Something wonderful is going to happen today. In Jesus' name Amen.
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