Sunday Drive - Joy Is A Decision

(Our Japanese Maple tree is showing off right now!)

Joy is a decision

The definition of the word decision is the act or need of making up ones mind. Which means you have the choice.

You might not have much control over the world or circumstances happening in your life, but you do have a decision to make about how you feel and how you look at life and how you treat others.

God created us with an amazing mind. So many thoughts can happen at once. We have the incredible ability to think through situations and make decisions.

Our thoughts are extremely important. Our emotions and behavior flow through and out of those thoughts. It's so vital that when we are in a state of doubt, frustration, confusion or even feel like we've lost our joy that we guard our mind. This is where the enemy will try to plant even more doubt, frustration and confusion.

Romans 8:9 (NLT)
9 But you are not controlled by your sinful nature. You are controlled by the Spirit if you have the Spirit of God living in you. (And remember that those who do not have the Spirit of Christ living in them do not belong to him at all.)

Did you read that? You are not controlled by your sinful nature! We have the Spirit of Christ! We have choices!!! Now is the time to take those thoughts captive!

2 Corinthians 10:5 (NIV)
5 We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.

We need to go to Jesus and give all of those thoughts and emotions to Him. Let Him sort it out. That's the process of taking your thoughts captive. Once you've given them to Jesus, it's now time to decide what you will think on next. God's word always provides a way...

Philippians 4:8 (NLT)
8 And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.

When you're in the middle of it, it's hard! Take a moment. Pause and remember you are not alone. Jesus is with you. He continually watches over you. He knows exactly where you are, how you are feeling and is there to help you. He loves you with a perfect unending love. He will not leave you.

Genesis 28:15 (NLT)
15 What’s more, I am with you, and I will protect you wherever you go. One day I will bring you back to this land. I will not leave you until I have finished giving you everything I have promised you.”

He will guide you through. But while you are on this journey, even though there are some really hard times, you can still make a decision to have joy. The joy comes from Jesus, not your circumstances.

Look around you. There are blessings all over the place. It's up to you to find them. Look at them, think about them, and be thankful for them. Then smile, because you made the decision to choose joy!

Psalms 107:8 (NLT)
8 Let them praise the Lord for his great love and for the wonderful things he has done for them.

Blessings,
Lori