Often people decide to flow through their day with the prevailing mood that exists when they wake up. What if the mood is depressive or negative? Do you allow your day to proceed from that framework? The consequences would invariably be negative and unproductive. That type of mood produces feelings of helplessness and marginalization. It pushes one to be a victim and always seek the help of other people. In others words, it fosters dependency. Consider that joy is a choice. We can be instrumental to direct our minds to decide for joy. And when we choose joy, it becomes our strength (Nehemiah 8:10). That strength, when we hold onto joy, develops an inner power: “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit” (Romans 15:13). Strength developed through faith in Jesus Christ should be the goal of every Christian. We are designed to be strong; not weak (2 Timothy 1:7). Weakness is characterized by falling into sin, living in the flesh, falling into the trap of greed, anger, jealousy and other related sins. If we trust in God, pray always, confess our sins, our hope grows and He cultivates and sustains our power to remain pure and free.
Joy is a Choice
