There are circumstances that will often come along that can steal our joy if we let them. When we allow the negative things to crush our spirit, it takes away our positive attitude. When our day doesn’t go as planned because of circumstances that happen we had not counted on, we can become disappointed or even frustrated. So many things can happen in the course of a day to crush our spirit, but we do not have to let them send our attitude into a downward spiral. We can choose our focus, such as: I avoid being distracted by agendas, I will stay true to my values and purpose, I will let my dominant thoughts each day be those that will contribute to my personal goals.

Being happy/cheerful in a healthy way is based on one’s personal beliefs and values. It is essential that a person find meaning and purpose in life and live it with a regular experience of gratitude. “Be very careful how you live, not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity...always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (Eph. 5:15, 16 & 20) Our salvation experience in Christ Jesus is the beginning of a never-ending relationship with Him. An individual who is effective and successful in their self-image and identity, keeps growing spiritually, keeps learning from His Word (the Bible), and becoming more spiritually mature and a better person. When spiritual growth becomes a dominant theme in your life, your effectiveness in your relationships with others will exceed your highest expectations.

New attitudes will emerge based on loving and inspiring others to grow and achieve a better relationship with our Lord and with others. As you reach higher and higher levels of spiritual growth, you will discover that your whole focus of life will not be on “self” but on God. An Old Testament character by the name of Nehemiah said, “The joy of the Lord is my strength.” The types of questions you will begin to ask yourself will change and you will focus on love, compassion, and giving, and how can I be useful in this situation to help? Abundance of good becomes your theme, motivating and inspiring you throughout each day. You will learn that life, as a growing relationship with the Lord, is good and the possibilities keep expanding and getting better. Learn to practice what the apostle Paul instructed, “. . . Whatever is true, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.” (Phil. 4:8)

Choose today to be cheerful in heart. Tell yourself that you will not let negative situations crush you. You can have a good attitude, focused on all the Lord’s blessings, realizing that those “bad circumstances” are not to be a bother.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, help me to choose a right attitude and a cheerful outlook today as I focus on You, seeing how richly You have blessed me.