The Choice To Be Happy

The other day, I walked into a store and there was a group of people talking in the checkout line.

One man said, "I decided at the first of the year that I'm not going to be angry anymore. It's been eight months now, and I'm the happiest that I've ever been."

A friend told me this weekend, "I pray: Lord, put a smile on my face until there's one in my heart."

These two experiences have rocked me to my core. I know I've let the joy in my heart slip a little recently. I know that I've been so busy that I can hardly keep my eyes open, let alone hold a smile on my face.

It's not easy to smile and be happy. The world we live in makes it very difficult to be pleasant and loving and compassionate. By the time our day is over, it would be understandable if our bottom lips dragged the ground.

But we have a choice. Like that man in the checkout line, we can choose to let go of whatever is holding us back. We can determine in our own hearts to set negativity aside and smile our way through the day. It's not an easy choice, but it's an amazingly fruitful choice.

I was actually told at work today that I was too happy - that I was being too nice to people when they call.

That's my choice.

And I choose, moment by moment and day by day, to be happy in the Lord.

Comments

  1. Always LearningSeptember 16, 2013 at 9:23 PM

    I saw a friend the other day at breakfast. She has been unhappily married for 37 years. They took my challenge to not argue for 30 days. It has been 140 days and they have never been happier! She told me they have finally laid down their swords.

    ReplyDelete
  2. LauraSeptember 17, 2013 at 7:55 AM

    Praise the Lord! Isn't it amazing what one decision can do?

    And how wonderful for God to use you in such a powerful way. Thank you for being open to His guidance.

    Have a wonderful day in the Lord, Lori!

    ReplyDelete

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