MAKE THE CHOICE TO BE JOYFUL
REV. EKOW ESHUN.
SCRIPTURE: PROVERBS 17:22 (AMPL)
”A happy heart is good medicine and a cheerful mind works healing, but a broken spirit dries up the bones.”
The Spirit of God is a joyful Spirit. Scripture talks about ”Joy in the Holy Ghost”(Rom 14:17). The spirit of the new creation is also naturally a spirit of Joy because the fruit of the (recreated) spirit is joy (Gal 5:22). Therefore it is logical, natural and a matter of course that the one that is born of the Spirit must have a merry heart. The Hebrew word for merry is translated in English severally as “glad,” “rejoice, “joyful” etc
We are also instructed in Proverbs 15:13- ”A merry heart makes a cheerful countenance, But by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken.” Clearly we can see that a merry, happy and rejoicing heart produces health and smiles. Isn’t that wonderful? Being healthy and smiling! This is practical instruction for a good life. Hallelujah!
God’s provision for your spiritual, emotional and physical health includes a happy heart, smiles and laughter. Remember also that whatever abounds in the heart, is usually expressed through the mouth. God has already given us the merry or rejoicing heart through the new birth and the infilling of the Spirit. The question I have asked myself is; “who or what is to make me happy?” The reality is that, this is a choice you and I must make. You can decide to let your circumstances, experiences and associations make you happy or you can decide to let them steal your joy..
Being merry and happy is a choice you must make. Phillipians 4, verse 3 reminds us of this choice: ”Rejoice in the Lord always and again I say, rejoice.” ( NKJV) Nobody is called, anointed and gifted to make you happy and cheerful. Your happiness is your choice! Many people never learn this lesson. Others also learn it late. Your happiness doesn’t depend on others, it depends on you. You and I are to rejoice in the Lord always.
Remember this; Being merry or happy is medicine. You cannot go through this life always focused on your bad experiences and painful memories. No, you can’t do that if you want to be a joyful believer. That won’t make you happy. Rather, focus on Jesus, the Word and your good experiences. This is a basic way to stay merry and happy from the inside out.
I am talking about those experiences and memories that make you happy. The good things that you know surely that God has given you and done for you. For example, you are alive. Being alive alone is a great blessing. Moreover, you are born again. God is now in you and at work in you. That is good reason to laugh, dance and rejoice.
Ask yourself; “what if God was not in your life?” That would be a much worse situation, isn’t it? Determine to stay happy. Keep your attention and meditation on God’s Word and the good things you can testify of. Your merry heart and your happiness is medicine. This medicine will keep you healthy.
CONFESSION
I determine today to take full responsibility for my total wellbeing spiritually, emotionally and physically. I choose to maintain a merry heart and a cheerful, happy and rejoicing attitude. I make it a choice to rejoice in the Lord always and not allow any negative situation steal my joy. I recognise that a joyful heart and laughter are good medicine for me so I receive that by faith in Jesus’s name. The joy of the Lord is my strength.
FURTHER READING (NKJV)
PHILIPPIANS 4:4-9
[4]Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice!
[5]Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand.
[6]Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God;
[7]and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Meditate on These Things
[8]Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.
[9]The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you.