Choose to be happy

By Renee Wheeler

Happiness is a choice. When you get up in the morning, you can choose to be happy and enjoy that day, or you can choose to be unhappy and go around with a sour attitude. It’s up to you. If you make the mistake of allowing your circumstances to dictate your happiness, then you risk missing out on God’s abundant life.

You may be going through tough times, or you may have major obstacles in your path, all of which give you good reason to be unhappy or upset. But being unhappy won’t change anything for the better. Being negative and sour isn’t going to improve anything either. You might as well choose to be happy and enjoy your life! When you do that, not only will you feel better, but your faith will cause God to show up[ and work wonders in your life. God knows that we have difficulties, struggles, and challenges. But it was never His intention for us to live one day “on cloud nine,” and the next day down in the dumps, defeated and depressed because we have problems. God wants us to live consistently. He wants us to enjoy every single day of our lives.

To do so, you must stop fretting about the future. Quit worrying about how everything is going to turn out. Live one day at a time; better yet, make the most of this moment. It’s good to have a big-picture outlook, to set goals, to establish budgets and make plans, but if you’re always living in the future, you’re never really enjoying the present in the way God wants you to.

When we focus too much on the future, we are often frustrated because we don’t know what’s coming. Naturally, the uncertainty increases our stress level and creates a sense of insecurity. We need to understand, though, that God has given us the grace to live today. He has not given us tomorrow’s grace. When we get to tomorrow, we’ll have the strength to make it through. God will give us what we need. But if we’re worried about tomorrow right now, we are bound to be frustrated and discouraged.

You must learn to live one day at a time. By an act of your will, choose to start enjoying your life right now. Life is too short not to enjoy every single day. Learn to enjoy your family, your friends, your health, your work; enjoy everything in your life. Happiness is a decision you make, not an emotion you feel. Certainly there are times in all of our lives when bad things happen, or things don’t turn out as we had hoped. But that’s when we must make a decision that we’re going to be happy in spite of our circumstances.

May we remember

By Rita Sutton

Have you ever felt as if you were on a roller coaster - up and down, round and round -through dark tunnels and into a river of water? I truly have! Sometimes we can feel as though our life has no meaning or not worth living? I’ve experienced some of those feelings and thoughts! Let’s look at a few examples we need to remember or become aware of.

Life’s Purpose

We must find the purpose of our life. One song I sing says “We are born to serve the Lord.” In Genesis, we find we are created in the image of God. I believe we are made in the likeness of our heavenly Father and born to do the work of Him.

When we lose sight or forget this fact our lives can become chaotic and a major wreck. We also need to determine what direction our life should take. We aren’t meant to constantly live as if we are dangling in mid-air without a safety net. It’s when we have a special goal in sight, make up our minds to fulfill what is set forth for us regardless the cost, that we find a purpose to live and touch lives in a positive way.

Forget the Past

We must  forget the bad things which have come our way: the way we’re treated on our jobs, what someone did or said to us fifteen years ago which hurt us to the bone, or lied to us when we have trust and faith in them, etc. Apostle Paul states it’s imperative we forget those things which are behind us and strive forward. We can’t prosper if we keep our heads craned, looking over our shoulder. Always holding onto the bad which interrupted our life, and we reacted to it by committing hurtful deeds. Forget the sin which can easily destroy us and press toward the calling of God.

We must forget the good things we’ve done lest we allow them to affect our lives by our becoming haughty. Lest we gain a “better than thou” attitude. We must stay full of love and humility. God can’t use someone with a “look at all I’ve done” attitude. We must remain malleable in His hands, that our lives can accomplish all we can for the Kingdom of God.

We must forget ourselves and remember the One who give us all things, whether it be talents, abilities, the very breath we breathe. Time comes when in order to be a blessing, we must decrease that Christ may increase.

Remember the Good

God has been good to us, regardless of what seemingly comes our way. We must remember the good in others. Some people may be rude, or delight in hurting and causing others pain. This is true. Yet, there are numerous others who are precious, caring souls. Remember what awaits us in heaven, all its’ array of beauty. We will achieve more if we look up on the rainbow instead of always seeing the rain.

May God help us all to look upward, expecting his return. Wishing you God’s blessings - With love, from my heart.

My Answer

By Billy Graham

Q: My grandmother gave me a Bible a few weeks ago when I graduated from high school but I can't make any sense out of it. For one thing, the language is so old-fashioned that I can't understand it. Is the Bible just for preachers? - V.J.

A: Your grandmother gave you the greatest gift she possibly could - the Word of God. The Bible isn't just another book; it isn't even one of the greatest books that has ever been written. The Bible is God's Word, given to us so we can come to know Him, love Him and serve Him. As the psalmist said, "Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path" (Psalm 119:105).

And I want to assure you that the Bible isn't just for preachers! God wants to speak to you - and He will, if you will make the effort to listen to His Word and apply it to your life. The Bible says, "Do not merely listen to the word. ... Do what it says" (James 1:22).

How can you do this? First, get a Bible you can understand. Perhaps your grandmother gave you an older translation that she has loved over the years - but if you find it difficult to understand, a newer translation will be of more use to you. You don't want to offend your grandmother, of course, but your Christian bookstore can suggest a modern translation you can use in addition to the one she gave you.

Then set aside time each day to read your Bible - even if it's only a few minutes at first. I suggest you begin with one of the Gospels (such as John). There you will discover the greatest news of all - that God loves you, and Christ came to save you.

(Send your queries to "My Answer," c/o Billy Graham, Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, 1 Billy Graham Parkway, Charlotte, N.C., 28201; call 1-(877) 2-GRAHAM, or visit the Web site for the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association: www.billygraham.org.)