Choose Happy

Life is uncertain, always has been always will be, until we get to Heaven.  None of knows how many years God has granted us to be on this earth through his loving grace.  When I was younger, I never really thought about it.  Like many young people, I was pretty sure I was invincible.  Nothing could touch me, I thought. 

Of course, as I matured, I learned just how deeply something could touch me.  I learned that not only was I not invincible, I was actually helpless to really do anything without God.  John 15:5 says it best, “I am the vine and you are the branches, if you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit, apart from me you can do nothing.” (emphasis is mine).  A difficult lesson for many of us to learn.

We need to remember to lean on God during this horrendous pandemic that has risen and is shaking its fist in our faces.  We can do nothing on our own, but that doesn’t mean we should do nothing.  Pray for guidance and direction from God about what it is he wants you to do and how.  Pray for the details.  God has already given us the big picture for our jobs. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 says, “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”  You want to know what God’s will is?  There it is.  Today we will just discuss verse 16, but another time we will tackle verses 17 and 18. 

Right there, in verse 16 he is telling us to choose to be happy.  Rejoicing is just another word for happiness.   This is such an important concept that it is repeated multiple times in the Bible.  Look up Philippians 4:4, Romans 5:3, Romans 12:15 and there are many more if you choose to dig deeper.

I heard a story about a little girl in school.  I believe she was in Kindergarten.  She was a shy little girl and was very quiet.  She kept her head down and focused on her work.  However, every so often her little head would bob up she’d look around the room, smile and say “Happy”.  That was it-just one word.  She was so full of joy and happiness that it just had to spill out of her. 

I was in a craft store recently and saw a set of stickers.  On the package it said, “I Choose to Be Happy,” and underneath that “Let your faith be bigger than your fear.”  Those are such encouraging words in this time of fear, confusion and uncertainty.  We can’t choose our circumstances.  We didn’t choose this pandemic or all the strictures that are being enforced as a result of the virus.  But we can choose how we react to those circumstances.

So, I challenge you to choose to be happy.  Let your faith be bigger than your fears.  Remember, the God who created this entire world is big enough to handle all your fears.  Trust in God and be happy.  The choice is fully yours.