I Choose Joy!

Psalms 126:2

“We were filled with laughter, and we sang for joy. And the other nations said, ‘What amazing things the Lord has done for them.” ~NLT

It was like a dream when God brought back His exiled children to Jerusalem.  They were laughing, singing, and filled with so much joy that the people around them marveled at the wonderfully amazing things that the Lord had done for them.  The freed exiles were praising God for what He had done. But what if he hasn’t done it yet?  Here’s what I do…

Every morning I look at my vision boards and my inspirational wall, which cover at least a quarter of the wall space in my bedroom. Some of the goals have been accomplished; some are in progress, but my eyes are always drawn to the sticker in the top right corner that bears the declaration, “I Choose Joy!”  and that is exactly what I do. I sing songs of joy; upbeat and uplifting,  and I may even crank up the music and “dance like no one’s watching. Soon my little reservoir of joy has been stirred, and it begins to swell and rise and spill over into my day, all because of what I chose.

Sometimes all it takes for God to turn a situation around is a praise. So, “Don’t wait ‘til the battle is over, shout now! You know in the end, you’re gonna win!” OR, if Jill Scott is more your cup of tea, sing “I’m taking my own freedom, putting it in my song, singing loud and strong, grooving all day long. I’m taking my freedom, putting it in my stroll, I’ll be high-steppin’ y’all, letting the joy unfold. I’m living my life like it’s golden, living my life like it’s golden…” Hey, you can even freestyle. There’s nothing wrong with bursting into a spontaneous song! In other words, on the road to your victory, be filled with laughter. Sing and dance for joy. Your praise just may be the oil on the gears that will shift you from the place of your exile to the place of your promise.

~ Prayer ~

Father, I thank You for being my joy and my strength. Help me to consciously choose joy and intentionally choose happiness. Put a song in my heart and laughter on my lips that will cause the people who know my situation to marvel at my response and say, “Look what God has done!” And, Jesus, I will joyfully give your name the glory, the honor, and the praise. AMEN!