Choosing Happiness?

This past week was middle school conference time for the Nelson girls. During the conclusion of Catey’s conference, she was given the opportunity to grade her over-all assessment of how her life is going right now. She gave herself a pretty low score. She expanded on this thought by explaining how that with her back fractured, she cannot play basketball or volleyball and she is the happiest version of herself when she is competing athletically. The reality of being “benched” makes her unhappy.

Her answer broke my heart, but also challenged my thinking. What makes me happy? I am so happy when my whole family gets to gather around my dinner table and enjoy great food and conversation and laughter, but with one off at college and 3 busy teens, those nights are rare. I am happy when I get to watch my kids compete and succeed in sports, but those days are numbered too. With all due respect to Bobby McFerrin, I don’t think you can just “Be Happy”. You can choose circumstances and hobbies and relationships that make you happy, but I believe happiness is at its core, circumstantial. I am a very thankful person, but I don’t know if I am a happy person. I do celebrate many happy moments every day, and I have learned to be content in most circumstances, but I hope my positive countenance is a reflection of a joyful heart. The bible is chock full of commands to rejoice always, and to consider it joy when you face trials. Ps 50:23 says,” Whoever offers praise glorifies me.” Life will throw us curve balls like fractured backs, empty nests, and cloudy days, but no matter what our circumstances are, we CAN choose joy.

I’m still studying the life of David in my chronological Bible and have witnessed David choosing joy in the midst of horrible circumstances. His enemies are attacking him, his children are spreading lies about him and his job is under threat, but He trusts the Lord. He lists the terrible circumstances all through the psalms and after each cry, he says, “But God”, or “But I will call on God”, or “But You O God”. David knows that God is faithful and so he faithfully rejoices.

As a Christian, I want to be more and more like Jesus., but does that mean I have to be happy all the time? Jesus endured the cross and despised the shame, but for the JOY of redeeming me and for the JOY of giving me life, He died for me. I may not always be happy, but I have the BEST reason to be joyful.

Oh precious friends, I pray that today will be joy-filled for all of you! XO

Let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, 2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. – Hebrews 12:1b-3 (NIV)