Again I Choose Joy

Every day we have an opportunity to do something lovely – choose joy.

The writer of Proverbs in the Bible let’s us know the wonderful benefits of doing just that. 

All the days of the oppressed are wretched, but the cheerful heart has a continual feast.  Proverbs 15:15

A joyful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones. Proverbs 17:22

I love this change of heart the writer of this Psalm allowed God to give Him when he wrote:

You turned my wailing into dancing; you removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy, that my heart may sing your praises and not be silent. Lord my God, I will praise you forever.  Psalm 30:11-12

At whatever place we find ourselves – wailing or dancing or somewhere in between - these are days we need to choose joy.  Sure there continue to be challenges.  Life is not all we wish it could be.  There are many things still so uncertain about the future.  But we have today.  What joy can we find in this moment, this hour, and throughout this day?

You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.  Psalm 16:11

Thank you Lord that you are putting a path before us today that is filled with things that can be a source of joy.  Just knowing You are with us and You are in control is a great place to start. 

Lord You are my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in You, and You help me. My heart leaps for joy, and with my song I praise You.  Psalm 28:7

And in the areas where we don’t feel all that joyful, we pray with the writer of these words:

Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.  Psalm 51:12

Satisfy us in the morning with your unfailing love, that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days. Psalm 90:14

We choose to welcome Your love into our lives until our hearts are full and satisfied.  We invite You to fill us up with Your love until our hearts are satisfied and we are able to sing for joy in this day. 

We will choose joy over everything else, one choice at a time.  Help us to faithfully and consistently do that in the power of the Holy Spirit.  Amen