Choice To Rejoice

Ugh.  Some mornings, most mornings I don't wake up well.  I've always been that way, and I am guessing it's some body chemistry thing.  I'm off balance, uncoordinated, my thinking is muddled and functioning is a struggle.  I'm sure that body chemistry is what makes some of us morning people, and some, like myself, not so much.  So to choose to be upbeat is not something that comes naturally, or I even want to do in the morning....no, grumpy and uncommunicative is more my style in the A.M. Usually, though after half an hour or so, I am feeling better, more alert and able to face the day.  Not so the last couple of days.

Maybe that's why I've been trying to say that verse (Psalm 118:24) in the morning, as I posted last. To help boost my "up" quotient in the mornings.  It's a choice I am making.  And I am learning that I have to choose, throughout the day to rejoice in the Lord.  So the Lord has put this rejoicing thing in my heart, knowing full well I would need to draw on it often.  It's God visits in advance! LOL.  I am so grateful that the Lord prepares us for our upcoming days.  We are not left without knowledge and know-how.  Putting it into practice is our part (through the power of the Holy Spirit).

The Bible teaches us that rejoicing is a choice we make.  I've met with varying degrees of success in this area, but when I do by faith what the Bible teaches, I am blessed.  Sometimes it's quite difficult when feelings don't back up our choice....I know it is for me.  But God says to do it.  Philippians 4:4 Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice!  Doesn't sound like a suggestion to me.

Today, I do not feel like rejoicing.  It's gray, rainy, grim and cold out.  My head hurts because I have a cracked tooth and have to go to the dentist (think pain before, and pain after I get the dentist bill!  ugh!!).  The house looks like a disaster zone (I'm wondering if a tornado swept through my kitchen and living area while I slept last night!), and even after a good night's sleep I feel exhausted. The last thing I want to do is be joyful....lets go back to that grumpy and uncommunicative....perhaps even a bit "complainy" would be in order.  But God says to REJOICE!  So now it's time to put into practice the God visit teachings of the Holy Spirit from the last few weeks.  And as the Word says in Philippians 4:13  For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.  

Help me today Lord to be obedient to Your Word.  Remind me often the give thanks, to be joyful and to praise and glorify Your name.  It's not easy Lord, when I feel down, feel blue or just plain don't feel good.  But if You say I can do it, then it must be true.  Truly, "this is the day the Lord has made; we will rejoice and be glad in it."  Psalm 118:24 

What are you facing today?  Let's be obedient to the Lord together!  Find things to be joyful for.  He is with us and nothing beats that!

Saw this on Facebook......