“For the despondent, every day brings trouble: for the happy heart, life is a continual feast.” Proverbs 15:15

Happy Heart

I recently wrote about the adversities that we go through, and how God helps us through them. Since then, my mind has been pondering on how we can be joyful, happy even, in the midst of adversity. We can be in the midst of sadness and sorrow,  and still be joyful. I know, it sounds contradictory, but it’s not.

For me it comes down to what I focus on. I can focus on the trials, the pain, the sadness, the things I’ve lost—or I can focus on who God is, on His goodness and faithfulness in the middle of the trial. It’s something I need to choose. A friend sent me this picture…

I love that picture. We can be happy even if we don’t “win.” Not because of the results, but because of how we choose to look at them. I have found it so important in the midst of hard days to say, “Thank You, Jesus” for the good things in the hard day. We can be joyful because of our walk with the Lord, because of the hope He gives us, and because of His faithfulness to us on the journey.

I have practiced counting my blessings by making a list of them. It never ceases to amaze me how many blessings I have, even in the midst of hard times on this long, unexpected journey! I am still “rich” with blessings.

My mind has been so full of these thoughts. Then I was in a shop a couple days ago, and came across this sign:

I don’t want to run out of time to be happy!

I’m grateful for God’s joy and happiness in the midst of hard times. What a precious gift that is to my heart.

“Father, we choose to think on Your goodness. Amen.”