Joy is not dependent on our circumstances. It’s dependent on our choice… Choose wisely.

I heard someone say this once: “Joy and happiness are different. Happiness depends on your circumstance, if things are good then you are happy. If things are bad, then you’re not. But joy is a choice it is not dependent on your circumstances. You can choose to be joyful whether your circumstances are good or bad.” I have been thinking about that statement lately, about its truths and the effect it has had on my life. When I started this blog (almost two years ago) life was decidedly less “happy” than it is now. Our family had gone through a really rough time the year prior and as a result there was not much to be happy about. Emotionally I felt like a cartoon character with a dark cloud above my head. Then I heard that statement (and it was a light bulb went off), I thought to myself the only thing that’s keeping me in this mindset is, me. I made a decision to find one thing to be thankful for everyday, one reason to be joyful (and thus began my journey of thankfulness). That journey has changed me from the inside out. God used  it to show me that even if the circumstances were less than stellar if I opened my eyes I could see the GOOD and the GOD in everything. Life is not always “happy”, but we have the opportunity to be “joyful” none the less. We just have to choose it.

“Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the JOY set before Him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God” (Hebrews 12:2).

So what’s my plan? Set JOY before me.