Goodness Gracious: 14 Unfiltered Devotions for This Sometimes-Too-Serious LifeSample

"Choose Joy?" Girl, Please.

Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. I THESSALONIANS 5:16-18

There was a point in time where the phrase “choose joy” was so gag-worthy to me. It felt overused, over-posted, so Christian girl cliché. “Choose joy? What, just pick it like a booger? Goodness gracious, stop it already.”

But I had to sit back and reflect for a moment. Why was I triggered? Why doesn’t the idea of choosing joy excite me and give me hope? I pinpointed two reasons: life was hard at the time, and I wasn’t consistent in my personal relationship with Jesus. The problem wasn’t the phrase, it was the turmoil going on inside of me.

I know “choosing joy” isn’t that simple. It’s not a light to switch from off to on. It’s not the beginning of “Man! I Feel Like a Woman,” where you instantaneously feel happier within the first three seconds. Oh, Shania. What a legend.

So, what’s the secret? How can we choose joy in a way that actually works? Here are three keys to consider:

1) Choose Jesus. Choosing yourself, relationships, or temporary pleasures will always leave an empty hole. True and unadulterated joy, in its purest form, is only found through Him.

2) Release offense, walk in forgiveness, and embrace surrender. When I shifted from a problem-focused to a solution-oriented attitude instead, it released so many emotional burdens. My heart became light, peaceful, and free.

3) Pray? Yes. Read your Bible? Double yes. Most Christians gloss over the number one key to experiencing supernatural joy, which is to open Scripture. Daily meditation on the living, breathing Word of God will not only increase joy, but it will also perform miracles by the renewing of your mind.

Once I started doing these things, everything changed. Soon enough, the “choose joy” phrase that was once so cringeworthy to me became noteworthy. I realized I must rejoice and pray even in the middle of my yuck circumstances, because that is His will for me. His actual will for my life is to “choose joy.” And it is His will for yours too.

Jesus, I thank You and praise You, even in the middle of my circumstances. I choose joy today. You died simply because You loved me, and that is enough for me to rejoice. Amen.