Choosing Joy

Choosing Joy

The world is a weary place.

The news reports murder and violence. Children are abused. Nations war. Our personal lives are messy. Dysfunctional families. Loveless marriages. It too often seems that there’s little in life to celebrate.

So when someone tells us to be more joyful, we feel that to force a smile amid all this pain would mean donning a mask we’re just too tired to wear.

But consider this: despite all the darkness, there is still light in the world. And the mere existence of darkness doesn’t disqualify the power of the light.

Choosing joy is a discipline. But it’s not about faking it or manipulating your emotions. It’s about training your eyes to see the light in the darkness and to regularly celebrate what you see.

There is a time to take life seriously. But there’s also a time to rest from the race, to let down your guard, and to rejoice in the life you’ve been given.

This is the day that the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.

—Psalm 118:24 ESV