The Right Choice

Choices are inevitable.  From simple things like what to wear or what to eat for dinner, to where to live, what job to take, who to marry....and of course the biggest choice we can every make is whether to follow Jesus, making Him Lord and Savior or choose to stand without Him, putting eternity in our own hands.  Even after we are Christians, we can choose to obey and reap the blessings or not to obey and reap the consequences.  There is a song on the radio a lot lately that I am absolutely loving.  Joy, by King and Country.

There is so much disaster and discord that we can focus on in the world, and even our own daily ins and outs of life can bring us troubles that send us reeling, bringing the black clouds of despair and frustration.  But we have something more....more than the here and now, more than the temporary trials, more than the negativity tossed at us from the six o'clock news.

We have Jesus.  We have salvation.  We have a very present help in times of troubles.  We have a hiding place.  We have a Savior.  We have a Father that loves us unconditionally, eternally.  We have a Holy Spirit who never leaves our side or our heart.  We have an eternal home that transcends anything this world can throw at us.  The list can go on and on and on if we really took the time to think about it.  The Bible tells us "Rejoice always!" in 1 Thessalonians 5:16. 

Of course this visit was not a stand alone.  Our Father confirmed it with a reading in "Jesus Always" by Sarah Young.  In it she writes,, "It is important not only to be joyful but to think about specific reasons for rejoicing."   Intentionality.  Intentionally looking for reason to be joyful.  Purposely focusing on the myriad of blessings we have in Jesus.

Believe me, I can spend my day grumbling about everything from traffic problems to a messy husband to co-workers who don't want to be helpful.  And those are just the small annoyances that can fill my day!  But I know God has a better plan.  There is a reason He tells us to "Rejoice always!"  Not only is it a blessing to us, but our joy then overflows and blesses those around us.  I don't know about you, but I think I'd rather be around someone who is joyful than someone who is sour and dour all the time!  (There have been many a day I don't want to be around myself!  LOL)

So this Thursday's instruction!!  Choose Joy!.

Lord, You've blessed us beyond measure.  Even if we have nothing in this life, as hard as that is, we have You.  Give us hearts to count the blessings.  Give us hearts to choose joy.  Please help us change our focus when we start getting in to the complaining, worrying, despairing mode.  Life can really get hard sometimes, a lot of times.  But that doesn't mean Your love will ever fail us.  Show us how to have joy in the middle of the tall waves, in the days where we feel like we are about to drown, in the often annoying days of little pinpricks that just feel like a swarm of unrelenting gnats.  You are our joy.  And You will never leave or forsake us.  Heaven awaits!  Your Presence is forevermore!  Today, help us to choose joy.

Count your blessings and choose joy!  Say them out loud, share them with another, write them down...whatever it takes to make joy your focus!