Today, I Choose Joy

There comes a time in life when we decide to be happy regardless of how things turned out. I’m not talking about toxic positivity or pretending that things don’t still hurt. I’m talking about focusing on things that we can control. I remember hearing Steve Harvey talk about how he was able to change his lifestyle and eat better when his trainer gave him a list of foods he can eat rather than showing him a list of what he couldn’t eat. It worked better for him when he focused on what he could do rather than what he couldn’t do. We can apply that same concept to every aspect of our lives. 

We can go down the list of unexpected plot twists in our lives. 

You didn’t expect to be a single mother…

You didn’t expect to lose your job…

You didn’t expect them to die…

You didn’t expect the diagnosis…

You didn’t expect to be struggling with finances again…

You didn’t expect to be single this long…

You didn’t expect to be divorced…

You didn’t expect infertility…

You didn’t expect to________________(fill in the blank).

This wasn’t supposed to be your story, but here you are.

Yet, we have a choice each day. We can focus on the excitement of the day and the even better outcomes of tomorrow or we can be disappointed in things we cannot control.  I don’t know about you, but I am tired of being disappointed. I feel like Steve; I want to focus on the things that I can do right now. Today, I chose joy. I say, today, because tomorrow, I will have to make the same choice. It is a daily process. Somedays we will succeed and on others, it may be difficult. That is the beauty of life. On those days that it is difficult, give yourself grace. After all, we are still human. 

I challenge you this week to choose things and people that bring you joy. And, on those days that you feel defeated, feel your pain and then write down ten things you are grateful for. 

If you are feeling up to it, share one thing you are grateful for in the comments. 

“These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.” John 15:11 ESV

“You make known to me the path of life; in your presence, there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.”

Psalm 16:11 ESV

“Trust in the Lord with all thine heart and lean not to your own understanding.” Proverbs 3:5

Have an amazing week on purpose! 

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