Your Choice

“Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice” (Philippians 4:4).

Paul’s words to the Philippians here were a theme of that epistle. And Paul wrote this from prison! “Rejoice” here is a command. Writing from very difficult circumstances, he repeatedly expressed joy and rejoicing, and commanded people experiencing trials and persecution to rejoice.

Frank Minirth and Paul Meier released Happiness is a Choice almost fifty years ago. That title is true!

I like to say, “Happiness is a gift.” It’s a gift you give to those around you. And when it comes to your family, your workplace, and your circle of friends, it can make all the difference in the world.

I know, you can’t change how you feel. But here are some things you can control that will determine your own happiness in a way that it is contagious, making those around you also happy.

• Things you talk about. (…what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable…things that are excellent and worthy of praise. – Phil. 4:8).

• Words you use. Are they uplifting and encouraging? Or are they condemning, critical, or extreme (i.e., “never” and “always")?

• Look on your face. Is your smile a gift you give others? Research shows that smiling, whether we feel like it or not, changes our attitudes. It also affects the attitude of those you give that smile to.

• Tone of your voice. When our kids needed to apologize, we didn’t let them get away with saying it in a grumpy way. They’d have to repeat it until they said it like they meant it. But then it was amazing how that changed their whole orientation. My wife often reminds me to pay attention to my tone.

• Atmosphere you maintain. How does the room change when you walk in? Do you make things better and more uplifting? Or does the temperature drop? Lifting up those around you lifts you up as well.

• Gratitude you express. There’s no wonder that Paul’s theme of joy and rejoicing in Philippians was accompanied with lots of expressions of gratitude. Saying out loud what you are grateful for drives out the complaining and critical spirit our sin nature tends toward. Make it a habit, when you find yourself down, to list off the blessings in your life you are grateful for, and say them out loud. It will do wonders for your spirit.

Would you describe your home, workplace, and friend group as happy atmospheres? Happiness is a choice. It’s also a gift you bring to others. But it takes intentional actions and thinking to make it happen.

“Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice” (Philippians 4:4).