Every day that we’re still alive and breathing is a gift. Too many people seem to forget this and take the small blessings they encounter for granted. Sometimes we’re tempted to wallow in a bad, but temporary, situation or make ourselves miserable by comparing ourselves to others, but life is too short for that. God wants our lives to be a joyful exclamation of His love, with an expectation of the good things waiting to happen.
God has always had good things in mind for us. We receive His best when we agree with His Word. “‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ says the Lord. ‘They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope’” (Jeremiah 29:11, NLT). It’s His will that we live joyfully. Meditating on this and turning it over and over in our minds prevents us from simply going through the motions, and keeps us in anticipation of experiencing the blessings He wants for us.
It doesn’t matter whether we’re married or single; we can be joyful regardless of what season we’re in. Listening to what the world tells us robs us of hope and leaves us discouraged; listening to what God tells us brings us encouragement and joy. “Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice” (Philippians 4:4). Reflecting on the times when He did good things for us and interceded on our behalf helps us to maintain our joy. The knowledge that if He did it once He’ll do it again increases that joy.
A thankful attitude keeps us in the right frame of mind. There will always be some situation not to our liking that can try our patience—if we let it. That’s part of life. The key is to avoid a “sour grapes” mentality and realize that negative circumstances give us an opportunity to be content with what we have. “Consider it wholly joyful, my brethren, whenever you are enveloped in or encounter trials of any sort or fall into various temptations” (James 1:2, AMPC).
Negativity is the enemy’s way of trying to steal our joy. The devil knows that if we slip into a bad attitude, the door is open for him to come in and bring dissatisfaction, discontentment, and frustration. However, refusing to be moved out of our joy gives us the upper hand. “Although the fig tree shall not blossom, neither shall fruit be in the vines; the labour of the olive shall fail, and the fields shall yield no meat; the flock shall be cut off from the fold, and there shall be no herd in the stalls: Yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my salvation. The Lord God is my strength, and he will make my feet like hinds’ feet, and he will make me to walk upon mine high places...” (Habakkuk 3:17-19). Aggressively maintaining this mindset closes the door on Satan and opens the door to receive the kind of life God wants us to experience.
God is well able to turn bad into good. Acknowledging this has the power to transform life from painful drudgery into an exciting adventure. “And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them” (Romans 8:28, NLT). God’s involvement in every aspect of our lives is how He demonstrates His love for us. Agreeing with this promise gives us the ability to rise above any adversity.