You Get to Choose to Be Happy

“You get to choose to be happy here. No one else can decide that for you.”

This is something I tell my kids quite often. When there has been some sibling bickering. Or someone didn’t get to play the game they wanted to play. Or feelings were hurt with uncertainty if they were ready to forgive.

God gives us peace and joy in our hearts. He wants us to be happy. Hard moments and seasons will come along, but God doesn’t want to see us suffer. He tells us in John 16:33, “I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”

Romans 8:6 tells us: “For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace.”

When we set our minds on Christ, His peace will fill us. Even in hard situations, we can find peace and joy when we continue to pray and keep our eyes focused on Jesus. 

We all know hard moments and seasons will come in ministry. Someone we love dearly at church will pass away. Our husband will get a harsh critique on a sermon that will make him question his abilities. An elders meeting will be draining and not life giving. Close friends we made at church will move away. We will be expected to be at things we don’t want to be at. We will watch someone we love fall away from the church. The list could go on. But, like I tell my kids, “you can choose to be happy here.” You can choose to find your joy in Jesus and depend on your relationship with Him in those moments.

It won’t always be easy to do that. God wants us to depend on Him. He wants us to ask for help. He wants us to reach in and find the joy we can have from living a life in His presence. 

When days are hard, will your joy be found in Jesus, recognizing that He is enough?

Kadee Jenkins~Nashville, TN