Have you ever just had one of those days, or weeks, or even months, where life seems to quite literally stink? I totally went through this recently. Nothing seemed to be going right. Choosing joy used to be really easy for me. I wish that I could turn it on and keep it on, but sometimes it feels nearly impossible. While I know that choosing joy is quite literally a choice, I still don't always know how to go about it.
A couple weeks ago, as I was driving to work in some sort of ticked off mood, I heard this guy talking about "finding the awesome". At first I was irritated, and then I was quickly proven wrong. "Here we go again about choosing joy.." I thought to myself. This guy had a great point though, being thankful for the good in every situation, even the terrible ones, can turn things around, especially when it comes to your attitude.
Thankfulness is good medicine for a bad attitude. Things may not be going as planned or be in your favor, but there is always an upside if you look for it. The key is, you have to look for it. It wont always come looking for you. Actually, the devil is totally okay with you staying in your negativity sink hole. Why? Simple, it's because negativity will completely rob you of any joy you could potentially have. And do you really think the devil wants you to walk in joy? Absolutely not. Joy is a fruit of the Spirit and the devil doesn't want you walking in any type of blessing, gift, or good thing from God. We must be aware that the enemy is the one who wants to steal, kill, and destroy us.
"For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms." -- Ephesians 6:12
Remember, it isn't people you are against, but powers and principalities in the spiritual realm. The way to counter act and cancel that assignment from the devil is to be thankful for everything God has given you. God is not stealing your joy, the devil is.
Be thankful for all of the things going right. My apartment AC broke six times within the first three weeks of living there, but at least I had a place to call my home. Whether it's a big problem or not so big problem, find the positive and ride on that. Don't soak in the negative or you will sink into a hole of depression, trust me, I know this all too well. You aren't getting that promotion at work you have been wanting? Well, praise God you have a job. Wedding planning is stressful? (Man this one hits home) Well, praise God you are marrying the man of your dreams. You have been single for many years? Well, praise God for the time you get to spend getting to know yourself better. Whatever the situation, I promise you can find something to be thankful for. Finding the awesome in everyday will make your day positively uplifiting instead of negatively drowning. Thankfulness can turn everything around. Stay positive, I promise things will get better!
