Happiness is a Choice.

“Those who are ‘beloved of the Lord’ must be the most happy and joyful people to be found anywhere upon the face of the earth.” 
(Charles Spurgeon)

Life is made of ups and downs and nothing is guaranteed. Our hope and expectation is that we will live our dreams and live them large. But, nothing is straight, and that’s what makes life so interesting. 

What if the conditions and circumstances in our life are contrary to our plans and expectations? What if our vision and dream is the exact opposite of the reality? You know, He is not only God on the mountains and in good times, but God in the valley and in the storms of life. 

The bottom line remains, 'what is the condition of our heart while in the valley or when our boat is tossed by the storms of life?' Well, it is easy to praise on the mountain tops, but what about while we are deep in the valley?

True happiness and joy radiates from inside. It is the content of the heart that will determine our happiness, and not necessary what we face on the outside. In our walk with God, we must strive for a clean and clear conscience without self condemnation. This will place our hearts at a position where we can engage our inner man and draw joy from within.

 That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.   

(2 Corinthians 12:10)

We need to make a conscious decision not to be deterred by today's circumstances or be held back by past failures, nor wait for a better day, but learn to dance in the rain and praise in the valley. We must consistently remind ourselves that He is a promise keeper and no word from His mouth will return to Him void.