“A merry heart makes a cheerful countenance, But by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken.” Proverbs‬ ‭15:13‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

Choose to find joy in every circumstance. This decision really is yours. I truly believe what we look for we find. This happens when we are looking for something positive or negative. Why do we waste time with the negative? To make us feel better, I don’t believe it works that way, not long term. We may feel better for a moment or justified, for whatever reason, but if we continually focus on the negative we will become negative where our minds (thoughts) continually go ends up being our outward expression to the world. Control your thoughts!!

Watch over your heart (mind) with all diligence, for from it flow the springs of life. Proverbs 4:23 (Italics added)

Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth. Colossians 3:2

“For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. Because the carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can be.” Romans‬ ‭8:5-7‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

I’ll be the first to admit by nature I’m not a happy-go-lucky, positive thinking kinda gal! I am working on it, I know I can change my way of thinking because the Bible tells me so:

“And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.” Romans‬ ‭12:2‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

Working on changing my thinking has helped me understand how I saw the world askew and judged people for their mistakes because I saw God as a vengeful God an ‘off with their heads’ kind of God. Now I’m able to understand because I didn’t comprehend how much God actually loves me, how he loves us all, because I couldn’t understand the depth of his love I couldn’t possibly love people (or myself) the way he does. I could only see the world through the skewed lens of it’s  brokenness.

Why would any of us chose to be miserable all the time? Makes no sense does it. Why would we be like the queen of hearts (Alice in Wonderland) waiting for and anticipating people will mess up so she could maniacally and with great joy yell off with their heads! We do that! Isn’t it a shame that with those same eyes we could look for good. With that same mouth we could encourage. With that same face we could show a countenance of openness and welcoming acceptance instead of closed off judgementalness. It stops here and now. I am choosing to look for good in all circumstances. To praise instead of complain. To love instead of judge. To smile instead of frown. To cultivate a happy heart instead an unhappy, angry or depressed one. Whose with me? In case you need a little more of a nudge remember this: Jesus died for us that we might live, not exist, not be kinda happy, but live life to the fullest with happy, joy filled, grateful hearts!

Praying you choose to be cheerful, look for the good in everyone you meet and fill your heart with the fullness of Gods never ending joy, love and peace Amen.

“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 ‭TPT‬‬

“Those who are loved by God, let his love continually pour from you to one another, because God is love. Everyone who loves is fathered by God and experiences an intimate knowledge of him.” ‭‭1 John‬ ‭4:7‬ ‭TPT‬‬

One thing to keep in mind today and every day is whatever you put out you get back, so why not make it good, pleasing, positive and powerful!