“To be happy you must eliminate two things: the fear of a bad future and the memory of a bad past.” (-Seneca)

           “This is the day which the Lord hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.” (Psalms 118:24 KJV)

           God has made this day.  Each day is a gift from God.  We choose to be happy, mad, sad, or glad.  We need to learn every single day is a purposeful gift from God, and our response is our choice.  So, what will you choose today?

           In the scripture for today it talks about rejoicing.  Rejoice means to feel or show great joy, it is an expression of happiness.  To be happy means feeling or showing pleasure, contentment, or satisfaction.  Happy is a passive feeling that comes from favorable conditions.  Rejoice is an active, outward expression of joy that you choose to practice.

           “To be glad in it” means to deliberately express inward joy.  Life happens.  Good things happen.  Bad things happen as well.  There are moments of joy that are accented by times of undeniable pain.  When our faith exceeds our selfishness, joy occurs. Because when all you can focus is on “yourself” and your problems—the woe is me—self-pity attitude, life is miserable.

           It is learning to have that joy down in our heart, rooted in God, then no one nor anything can steal it.  Joy comes from God because it is rooted in His unchanging character, presence, and promises, rather than our shifting circumstance.  While happiness depends on what happens to us.  God gives us strength to carry on, hope for the future, and understanding that this too will pass.  Thus, this is the day which the Lord hath made; I will rejoice and be glad in it, occurs.

           Today, remember life happens, but God gives us hope, for the joy of the Lord is our strength.  God Bless. Amen.

denise