Choosing Joy

Photo credit: memegenerator.net via Pinterest


“Happy International Day of Happiness!”  


This is the line that I’ve been seeing everywhere on my social media platforms today. Usually I don’t pay attention to the many International Day ofs, but it caught my attention. First, because I find it silly that there is actually a whole day devoted to happiness. Why can’t we be happy everyday? Second, because a lot of people always ask me, “How are you always so happy?” I am about to get real here, but the truth is some days I feel the complete opposite of happy. That is why I find it funny that people always say that. What everyone sees in me is definitely Jesus and his grace shining through.


The reason I named this blog post Choosing Joy is because I truly believe that experiencing or not experiencing joy is a choice. Life is hard and if we don’t wake up each morning making the conscious decision to be happy, it is going to be a pretty miserable life. All that being said, it is okay to not be happy all the time. We are human and are capable of feeling all  kinds of emotions. However, I would encourage you to not let the negative emotions overcome you.


There are so many things in this world that try to steal our happiness and joy. One of the major things that steals my joy is social media. Classic example: this next week is spring break for my college. Of course, as break began I checked my social media accounts. What did I see? Pretty much my friends doing anything better than what I was doing (my break will consist of me binge watching shows on Netflix and working on homework). I think we sometimes forget, but what we see on social media is not real. I mean it is to some extent, except we only really see the good parts of people’s lives.


Earlier this year, I was having bad day and I came across a verse in James that I believe the Lord spoke to me on the topic of joy. The verse is James 1:2-4 (NIV version) and says, “Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” This verse is very challenging because it calls us to take on trials with happiness. This idea seems crazy to most people, but it is possible. God equips us all with tools to be happy, even through hard times. Whether or not we choose those tools, that is up to us. (: