THE CHOICE IS OURS
TODAY’S SCRIPTURE
A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a broken spirit saps a person’s strength.
Proverbs 17:22 NLT
TODAY’S THOUGHT
The goal of life is to have a “cheerful heart.” I have observed in working with people that some people seem to be able to reach their later years with a “cheerful heart.” They are a delight to be around. Other people seem to become angry, cranky, and a pain to be around.
I used to think it was the fact that some had easy lives and others had rough lives. But I have found the circumstances of someone’s life usually has little to do with their attitude. I have observed people with similar circumstances come out with totally different attitudes.
How can we insure a cheerful heart?
First, let’s line up our priorities. You can’t do everything in life. Choices must be made about what is most important to you. In Proverbs we learn, “Fools eyes wander to the ends of the earth….” (Prov. 17:24). We don’t want to be a fool who jumps from one thing to another. We want to have a life that is focused on the right things.
Secondly, let’s lighten up our attitude. We can choose not to carry the baggage of anger, bitterness, worry, anxiety, fear, jealously, and envy. Proverbs tells us “A peaceful heart leads to a healthy body.” (Prov 14:30). We are also told, “Worry weighs a person down….” (Prov. 12:25). Let’s lighten the load of our emotions. Let’s learn to laugh. Rick Warren says, “He who laughs, lasts.”
Thirdly, let’s keep looking up to God. By keeping our focus on the Problem Solver instead of the problems of life we can discover a new sense of emotional health. Again, in Proverbs we learn, “We can make our plans, but the Lord determines our steps.” (Prov. 16:9).
These are choices we must make daily—and often more than once a day. We get to make these choices. Then the choices make us.
TODAY’S PRAYER
Holy Spirit help me to decide the right priorities for my life. Help me to keep my attitude peaceful. Help me keep my eyes on You.
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I want To live a life God would be proud of .