Today, we remember our son’s birthday 24 years ago. Days like this come with mixed emotions. Happy. Sorrowful. Joyful? Each morning I take some time to read and to pray, connecting with God and often talking in spirit with our son. A few years ago, my wife Cathy bought a decorative hanging which she placed on the wall in our bedroom. Until recently, I had walked right past it without noticing its message. It simply reads, “I Choose Joy”. Behind these three boldly printed words, a lighter shaded word is less visible… “Today“.

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Every day we make hundreds of decisions, many without a conscious thought. When life becomes difficult, our emotional reactions typically include fear, anger, sadness, doubt, or protective pride. Unless we’re aware of this human-thinking process, these will remain our default choices.

God made the human brain unique by giving it free will and even the ability to think about how we think. No other created thing has this incredible ability, yet most of us fail to put it to good use. Instead, we repeat the unhealthy pattern of repeating negative thoughts over and over again. Those who have accepted Christ have a far better choice. We can choose to draw from our faith and to find hope in the midst of life’s most difficult circumstances.

In life and in my work, I’ve observed thousands of people dealing with loss, but not all of them handle it the same way. Many fall apart or become lost while a few seemed to come away even stronger. Those few, in my observations have seemed somehow MORE joyful. How is that even possible? I believe the difference is because they didn’t choose to pick up a crutch or take the exit door. Instead they chose to lean deeply into their reliance and faith in God’s promises. They chose to reframe life’s difficulties into faith-growing opportunities. You see, happiness and joy may have some similarities, but they’re vastly different.

Happiness is momentary and subject to ever-changing circumstances. Joy is constant. It resides firmly inside us like a solar battery, storing light for the inevitable times when the world seems darkest. Lasting joy comes from hope which lies in the things unseen by human eyes yet are eternal. God’s word tells us to “renew our minds” to think from His eternal perspective. Our lives are relatively brief, but heaven is our permanent home where no pain, no tears, and no death are even possible. Now, that’s real hope and real joy, but we have to choose it, every day.

PRAYER: Lord, as your children, let us not drift blindly through life by falling into default emotions of life here on earth. Today’s temporary grief, fears, anger, doubts, unforgiveness, and regrets are Satan’s intentional distractions because these emotions bring death and destruction rather than abundant life. Understanding our time here is precious and fleeting, may we learn to surrender to You by continuously CHOOSING to live in the joy You freely offer. Amen‬‬

“The Lord is my strength and shield. I trust him with all my heart. He helps me, and my heart is filled with joy. I burst out in songs of thanksgiving.”
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭28‬:‭7‬ ‭

“Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again—rejoice! Let everyone see that you are considerate in all you do. Remember, the Lord is coming soon.“
‭‭Philippians‬ ‭4‬:‭4‬-‭5‬ ‭