Philippians 4:4 (Amplified Bible)

“Rejoice in the Lord always [delight, gladden yourselves in Him];

again I say, Rejoice!”

Everyday we wake up to the harsh reality all around us that this world is not perfect. And not being perfect, there’s a lot of bad things that can come our way. We are so easily offended and wounded. Our nature is to hold on to these pains and sufferings and never let go. Some of our pains go back years, even childhood. We are dragging these things with us as we try to live a “normal” life. The slightest thing can send us into an explosive anger, bursting out on innocent bystanders. We, at times, are bipolar; happy one minute and extremely pissed off the next. But I’ve found out through Scripture, that all these negative things that we’ve been dragging along, are all choices. You my dear reader, have the power to release or to hold things in your life. God has never given you hurt, depression or anything negative to lead you to Him. God gives you His Word, His Spirit and His Son to take you back to Him. You also have the power to change that way of living and accepting His ways. The Apostle Paul said, “Rejoice!” It’s a choice. Do you want to live your life depressed or do you want joy? It’s all up to you.

No one can make you happy, but Jesus. No one can make you mad. You get yourself happy or mad. Circumstances and problems are there to strengthen your faith in God, not to get you in a pity party. God wants to see if all that talk in Church you did, is the same outside in the real world. Pretending to be happy in Church is very easy, but living a life of joy, it can’t be faked. You need the power of the Holy Spirit to produce this in you. Aren’t you tired of living in this deep depression? You need to choose joy instead of sadness. Choose life instead of death, choose blessing instead of curses. These are choices that we must make DAILY! You can’t just confess this only one day, but it’s suppose to be done daily.

Yes, this is not easy. I’m not trying to make your situation less than what it is, but all I’m saying is that you have a choice. It’s not easy, but you have to do it. If you don’t take control of your emotions, they will control you. Paul is giving us a key to take control. Make up in your mind and take action to REJOICE instead of being sad. Don’t let your current situation effect your emotion. Take control of it through the Holy Spirit. Pray to God and give Him all your pain and all that negative feelings that are not allowing you to enjoy the life God has designed for you. And finally, let go! Go out and have some fun! Choose to rejoice instead of being depressed. You can choose and only you have the power to choose it for your life!

Filed under: Devotionals by Adilson Chacón