Choosing Joy

The LORD is my strength and shield. I trust him with all my heart. He helps me, and my heart is filled with joy. I burst out in songs of thanksgiving.

IN ONE PARTICULARLY STRESSFUL season of life, when we were going through a very public difficulty but most of the details were either too complicated or too personal to share, people would ask me, “How are you doing?”

I would answer, “I am choosing joy!” Most of us have only a few friends we trust enough and feel safe sharing intense emotion. So that response seems to protect both the person asking and the person answering. The best part of answering, “I am choosing joy!” is that it helps you do just that.

A quick scan of the Hebrew and Greek words translated “joy” shows that when you choose joy, you are choosing exceeding gladness, pleasure, rejoicing, cheerfulness, and calm delight. Those are definitely the things I want from life! So how do you choose joy? Choose Jesus instead of the emotion at hand. Make a conscious choice to worship instead of worry. Here are some great statements about what Jesus will do for you when you choose the joy he gives:

• You have turned my mourning into joyful dancing. You have taken away my clothes of mourning and clothed me with joy. (Psalm 30:11)
• When doubts filled my mind, your comfort gave me renewed hope and cheer. (Psalm 94:19)
• I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit. (Romans 15:13)

The next time you’re experiencing a time of stress, choose joy!