Psalm 118:6-7

GLADNESS IS A CHOICE

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How can we live lives of true gladness; of real happiness, joy, and optimism? I think I can reduce it down to one word: attitude. God will not make us glad, happy, or joyful. Though joy (a deep, abiding peace) is a fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22), it too can be sabotaged because, like happiness, joy depends on the conscious choice we make in response to our circumstances.

That is a life lesson Abraham Lincoln learned, summed up in his oft-quoted words: “Most folks are about as happy as they choose to be.”

I had a seminary professor who put it like this: “Your attitude will determine your altitude!”

That is good, sound Biblical theology that results in mental health — if applied! By the way, it’s been said that one in every four Americans is mentally imbalanced. Ann Landers responded to that by saying: “Think of your three closest friends. If they seem okay, you’re the one!”

In reading through the Psalms, I’ve noticed that so often the phrase “I will…” accompanies a hoped-for, indeed an expected victory!

For instance, the New International Version uses the phrase “I will” 169 times in the psalms, most of the time in reference to a choice made by believers with a confident expectation that God will intervene. Following are a few examples:

  • “I will give thanks to the LORD because of his righteousness; I will sing the praises of the name of the LORD Most High” Psalm 7:17.
  • “I will give thanks to you, LORD, with all my heart; I will tell of all your wonderful deeds. I will be glad and rejoice in you; I will sing the praises of your name, O Most High” Psalm 9:1-2.
  • “I will praise the LORD, who counsels me; even at night my heart instructs me. I keep my eyes always on the LORD. With him at my right hand, I will not be shaken” Psalm 16:7-8.
  • “The LORD is with me; I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me? The LORD is with me; he is my helper. I will look in triumph on my enemies” Psalm 118:6-7.

Seems good ol’ Sherriff John was right when he encouraged us as kids to: “…Laugh and be happy with a merry melody. A song will make a hat rack look like a Christmas tree. Get rid of worry in a hurry, chase the blues away. Just laugh and be happy all the live long day!”

WHATCHA THINKIN’?

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Many of my devotional thoughts address the importance of the mind. That’s because the Bible has much to say about this subject. I know from personal experience the power of the mind — indeed, practice bears out the truth that we become what we think!

We are what we think; behavior is the direct result of what we believe.

Fact is, I don’t know of even one Christian who has or is making a difference in this world for God’s kingdom that hasn’t embraced this truth — not even one! That’s because your mind will always believe everything you tell it.

It’s therefore not surprising that the Bible has much to say about this! The Amplified Bible in particular fleshes this truth out:

“So prepare your minds for action, be completely sober [in spirit—steadfast, self-disciplined, spiritually and morally alert], fix your hope completely on the grace [of God] that is coming to you when Jesus Christ is revealed” I Peter 1:13.

“The end and culmination of all things is near. Therefore, be sound-minded and self-controlled for the purpose of prayer [staying balanced and focused on the things of God so that your communication will be clear, reasonable, specific and pleasing to Him.]” I Peter 4:7.

“Finally, believers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable and worthy of respect, whatever is right and confirmed by God’s word, whatever is pure and wholesome, whatever is lovely and brings peace, whatever is admirable and of good repute; if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think continually on these things [center your mind on them, and implant them in your heart]” Philippians 4:8.

“Set your mind and keep focused habitually on the things above [the heavenly things], not on things that are on the earth [which have only temporal value]” Colossians 3:2.

“And do not be conformed to this world [any longer with its superficial values and customs], but be transformed and progressively changed [as you mature spiritually] by the renewing of your mind [focusing on godly values and ethical attitudes], so that you may prove [for yourselves] what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect [in His plan and purpose for you]” Romans 12:2.

A personal discipline I established years ago is an ongoing rehearsing of Scripture and truth-statements. For instance, each night as I’m lying in bed I recite these thoughts and verses:

“I don’t believe in defeat! I don’t quit, give in — or give up. That’s because Scripture says ‘I can do all things through Christ Who gives me the strength!’”

“The LORD is with me; I will not be afraid…The LORD is with me; He is my helper. I will look in triumph on my enemies” Psalm 118:6-7.

“With God we will gain the victory, and He will trample down our enemies” Psalm 108:13.