Journeys of Grace

When I woke up this morning, I had a choice. Actually, I had a lot of choices. I chose whether I would snooze for ten minutes or get up. I chose whether I would grab something for breakfast or wait until later. I chose whether I would make tea or coffee. I chose whether I would cram for my 8:00 test or wing it.

I had all these choices. But I had another choice too. I had the choice of what attitude I would have toward my day.

And I’ll be honest with you. My initial attitude was not a pleasant one at all.

Every now and then, I get into a comfortable, familiar rut. Familiar things aren’t bad by themselves, but every so often God allows something to change in my familiar, comfortable circumstances. It’s at those times that I learn just how important the comfort and familiarity had become to me. In some cases, they had become too important.

In fact, my comfort was so important that, when it was challenged, I responded with an angry, selfish, mean-spirited attitude. And that’s the attitude I woke up with today.

The Choice Attitude

Proverbs 17:22 A joyful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.

“A crushed spirit” sounds like a terrible thing to have. And yet so many of us go throughout our days with just that kind of broken despair. On the other hand, a joyful heart is compared to medicine! Rather than tearing down and destroying, a joyful spirit builds up and restores.

So where do I get this joyful heart? Ultimately, true joy is found in the gospel. As a Christian, I have been blessed “with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places” in Christ. More than anyone else, I have great reason to rejoice!

So what stands between me and this joy? Why do I wake up on mornings like today with such a terrible attitude? What can I do to rejoice?

The answer is so simple. To rejoice I simply have to choose joy.

Choosing Joy

Every day, I make attitude choices. Three choices in particular come to mind.

1) I Choose My Attitude Toward My Circumstances

I don’t always get to choose my circumstances. But I always get to choose my attitude toward them! I know that my circumstances will fluctuate throughout my life, but those changes should never cause me to stop finding and choosing joy in God.

2) I Choose My Attitude Toward Other People

People have always been part of my life, and I can count on them continuing to be part of my life. I normally enjoy being with people—except for when I just don’t. And even though I get along well with most of the people in my life, sometimes my personality just doesn’t connect well with someone else’s. At other times, I can be annoyed by someone’s decisions or frustrated by someone else’s attitude.

When I’m upset with the people in my life, I can choose to be thankful for them. I can choose to love them. And I can choose to set my frustrations aside. After doing these things, a joyful attitude normally follows quickly!

3) I Choose My Attitude Toward God

I think this is the most important choice of all. What is my attitude toward God? Is it one of trust and dependence, of submission and love? Or is it one of anger and doubt, of fear and pride?

Ultimately, God is the one directing my circumstances and placing people in my life. So in a way, my attitude toward my surroundings reflects my attitude toward God. Rather than questioning His perfect intentions for my life, I can joyfully and sweetly accept each gift—whether I consider it “good” or “bad”—as it comes from my Father’s hands.

Each day when I wake up, I have a choice. I have the choice of joy as I choose to accept my circumstances, love the people around me, and trust fully in God as He works through every aspect of my life.

Each day, I don’t have to be crushed by my own anxieties, frustrations, and doubts. Each day, I can choose joy.

P.S. I tried it—and it works! 🙂