Joy is a Choice
“Every day will I bless thee; and I will praise thy name for ever and ever.” Psalms 145:2
“While I live will I praise the LORD: I will sing praises unto my God while I have any being.” Psalms 146:2
“Rejoice evermore. Pray without ceasing. In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.” 1Thesselonians 5:16-18
“James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad, greeting. My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.” James 1:1-3
A man who had endured all manner of difficulty over the course of a number of years. A friend came to him and asked him, “How is it that through all of this, everytime I see you, you have a smile on your face and a sense of peace about you?”
The answer he gave is quite memorable.
“I choose joy.”
This brings into clarity a basic truth about our attitudes and emotions. We can dictate our attitude and demeanor.
So many fail to recognize this “super-power”.
In my hall, on my wall there is a device that always shows me what the temperature is in my house. On this device, there are buttons and options. I can engage a power, yet unseen, just as real as the one that determines the exact temperature. Left alone, my house will be unconditioned and will reflect the world outside. If I choose, I can choose to change the environment on the inside.
Even though it’s hot outside, sometimes I need a blanket to keep my feet warm.
How is this possible? Because I choose not to allow my inside to reflect the realities on the outside.
I choose joy.
There is a warning that we would do well to consider.
“And they shall be upon you for a sign and a wonder, and on your descendants forever. Because you did not serve the Lord your God with joy and gladness of heart, for the abundance of everything, therefore you shall serve your enemies, whom the Lord will send against you, in hunger, in thirst, in nakedness, and in need of everything; and He will put a yoke of iron on your neck until He has destroyed you.” Deuteronomy 28:46-48
I know this dimension of God is often missed by many “believers”, it is still a reality, joy is a choice, and our lived experience will return to us what we send out.
“Serve the Lord with Joy and God will enjoy blessing you more.”
Here is some basic programming every day. If you will make this your startup program, it will position your mind and attitude going forward.
Imagine yourself starting out the day just like described.
I have in my mind the old school boot up sequence when you would turn on a PC during the MS DOS days, you could see as each device was activated, you could hear the boot drives, the beeps and the list of software as it was launched in the boot sequence.
1Make a joyful shout to the Lord, [a]all you lands!
Wake up, “THANK YOU JESUS FOR ANOTHER DAY!”
2 Serve the Lord with gladness;
Lead me, guide me, use me to do your will Jesus!
Come before His presence with singing.
“This is the day, this is the day that the Lord has made.”
Hum it, whistle it, sing it.
Just continue this boot up sequence and enjoy what Joy will bring.
3 Know that the Lord, He is God;
It is He who has made us, and [b]not we ourselves;
We are His people and the sheep of His pasture.
4 Enter into His gates with thanksgiving,
And into His courts with praise.
Be thankful to Him, and bless His name.
5 For the Lord is good;
His mercy is everlasting,
And His truth endures to all generations.