The natural thing to do is look for something or someone to make ourselves happy. Sometimes we think if we had a different relationship we would be happy. Perhaps a different job would make us glad. When all our problems pass we will choose to be happy.
News flash! Why limit our happiness to those occasional events when we can learn to gladden ourselves every day? Life is too short not to be happy every single day!
How is that possible? It’s only through basing our happiness and delight in the unchanging relationship we have with God through Christ. The only reason that might not make us glad is that either we don’t know what belongs to us in that relationship or we have forgotten to stir ourselves up in those truths. Perhaps we have gotten so focused on what’s wrong, we forget what’s right!
Paul was in prison when he wrote “Rejoice in the lord always- delight, gladden yourselves in Him; again I say, Rejoice!” AMP Phil 4:4. He learned to focus on the unchanging.
The responsibility for my gladness is mine.
I don’t need to wait until the clouds lift and everything is rosy. Just like Paul learned, I can find joy in every tough situation.
I like the Passion translation of Philippians 4:4 “Be cheerful with joyous celebration in every season of life. Let joy overflow for you are united with the Anointed One!” Just as there are seasons of winter spring summer and fall, there are seasons in life where things look flowery or dismal. But we are united with the Anointed One, the Greater One, the Overcoming One!
The fastest way to get happy is to rejoice from your heart and express it with words from your mouth. So let’s get started getting happy! Just read and speak aloud until you are glad enough! And add your own once you get started:
I am forgiven and loved by God.
I am a new creature and God’s Spirit lives in me
I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me
My God supplies all my need according to His riches
I am surrounded with favor as a shield
I have the fruit of the spirit to help me love others (love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control)
The joy of the Lord is my strength
The Lord is my shepherd and I shall not want for any good thing.
Greater is He that is in me than he that is in the world.
More rejoicing?
