Everything seems to go wrong when you feel weak and depressed. But when you choose to be cheerful, every day will bring you more and more joy and fullness. Proverbs 15:15
How are you feeling these days?
If your answer is anything negative, then perhaps a better question to ask is how long or how often do you feel this way?
Feeling down and discouraged can be common. It may often lead to issues similar to when you go to the beach on a sunny day without any sunscreen protection. Our mental, emotional, and physical condition can be exposed to the degree of receiving an unhealthy burn.
Satan loves this environment because it opens the door for him to do his work in our minds and to create an “everything seems to be going wrong” mentality. The next thing you know, he can toss us into an “un” state of mind. We might begin to listen to his lies and feel unloved, unvalued, unworthy, and unimportant.
All of the “un” sayings are not the truth being told. It’s natural for us to have some less than better days because life can be hard. But God has made us to be much more than our enemy wants to say and make us think we are.
There is a powerful gift that God has given to all that can turn our less than better days into much more. This gift can change our tomorrows. It can absolutely improve and correct any issue of despair.
God has given us the gift of choice.
God’s Word says that when we choose to be cheerful vs being down-hearted we can experience joy and fullness. That sounds really good, but it doesn’t end there. Not only can we experience that joy and fullness but it can continue to grow and increase every day!
Just think a moment what comes with God’s benefit package of fullness. That can include anything and everything that makes our lives the best He has planned for us! Hallelujah!
So let’s do a comparison.
Choose you this day whom you will serve.
Being negative, discouraged, miserable, and/or depressed = living a defeated lifestyle which keeps you below God’s standards.
Being cheerful = living a life that has a positive attitude, having joy that comes from the Lord, and experiencing His fullness in your life that is promised to continually increase.
Unlike a grain of sand that has no control of when it will be swept to the bottom of the sea, God has given us the ability to change the course of our future by making choices everyday. Being cheerful is one of His many gifts that has a promise attached. He truly is a good, good Father.
When you choose to be cheerful, every day will bring you more and more joy and fullness.
Someone might be asking right now….”how do I become cheerful in my circumstance? I feel like I’m in a deep hole with the walls caving in.”
God sees you.
His desire is not for you to live this way. He is here to provide help.
God does not guarantee to remove you from your circumstance, but He does wish to empower you to live a life full of blessings and joy even in the midst of your trial. He’s ready to give you a guideline to follow that will assist you.
You and I can choose to be empowered today!
Hmmm, a cheerful life……even the setting sun looks a bit brighter.
Lingering Thoughts:
Will you make the choice to follow His lead? It involves choosing to change what you do and the way you think. Here are 4 possible choices to consider. Ask God sincerely if you need to apply any of these in your life:
I choose to be more positive in how I speak, react and think. The more positive I become will create a more cheerful atmosphere and attitude.
I choose to center my life around better things. I will examine the activities that I am involved in, which includes what I watch and listen to. Do this simple test by asking yourself …does it promote positive or negative outcomes and behavior?
I choose greater spiritual support by connecting with other believers. I will connect with others so that they can speak blessings into my life and that I can see my value of being a blessing to them in return.
I choose to have quality time worshiping the Lord. Meditating on His Word and the promises that He has for me will increase the joy that only He can give and will make my life more complete and full of His treasures.
Photos by Create228studio
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