Happiness Is a Choice
“This is the day that the Lord has made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.” – Psalm 118:24 (NKJV)
We often chase happiness like it’s a prize waiting at the end of a perfect day, a dream job, a healthy body, or a well-behaved child. We tell ourselves: I’ll be happy when… But what if happiness isn’t found in a someday? What if it’s a decision we make—right here, right now?
The Bible says, “This is the day the Lord has made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.” Not “we might,” not “if everything goes well,” but “we will.” That’s a choice. A declaration. A way of living that says, Even if things aren't perfect, I can still choose joy.
Jesus never promised a life free of trouble. In fact, He said the opposite: “In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33). Happiness, then, isn't the absence of problems—it's the presence of God in the midst of them.
Paul wrote some of his most joyful letters from a prison cell. He wasn’t on a beach sipping coconut water—he was chained to a guard. And still, he wrote: “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!” (Philippians 4:4). That’s not delusion. That’s devotion. Paul had learned the secret: joy isn't circumstantial—it’s spiritual.
It’s easy to look around and see what’s missing. The unanswered prayers. The heartaches. The disappointments. But happiness grows when we water what we do have—when we notice the grace of breath in our lungs, the warmth of the sun, the laugh of a child, the kindness of a stranger. These are all reminders that God is still with us.
Choosing happiness doesn’t mean we ignore our pain. It means we invite God into it. It means we stop waiting for life to be perfect and start recognizing the beauty in the broken. It’s not fake smiles or forced cheerfulness—it’s a steady peace that says, “God, You’re still good, and today is still worth praising You.”
Maybe your heart is heavy right now. Maybe life hasn’t turned out the way you planned. But what if, just for today, you chose to believe that joy isn’t something you find—it’s something you live?
Reflection Questions:
What have I been waiting on to finally feel happy?
Have I been overlooking the blessings already around me?
How can I start my day with the intention to rejoice, even if it’s hard?
A Prayer to Choose Joy:
Lord, some days it’s hard to smile. Life is heavy and unpredictable. But You are constant. Help me to choose joy—not because of what’s around me, but because of Who is within me. Remind me that happiness is not found in perfect days but in trusting You through every season. Today, I choose to rejoice in You. Amen.
