Anyone who knows me knows that I’m a joyful person, and I get told that…a lot. I tend to go around whistling; in fact, someone said that I come with an announcement because I always seem to be chirping a tune. I don’t hear myself doing it, but when I enter a building or a room, people know I’m there. I’m also a smiling and silly person — I enjoy living, and it’s not uncommon to hear comments (sometimes sideways) about my happiness. While some may feel that it’s superficial or “over-the-top,” I can say for certain that it’s not, because I have a reason to be glad! Every day, I wake up overwhelmed by the goodness of God and by what Jesus has done in my life. Though the past year has been a challenge for me — as I’m sure it has for you — the Lord still gives me hundreds of reasons to rejoice. Not only has He saved me from the worst parts of myself, but by His loving hand, He continues to bestow blessing after blessing. He has given me a beautiful family, wonderful friends, a great staff, and an amazing church, and this causes me to wake up every day with a happy heart! Even better, what He’s done for me, He will do for you, too. Though your blessings may not look exactly like mine, because God is good and He only does good, you can live in gratitude for His perfect gifts and become a person of exceeding joy!

My friend, I encourage you to embrace happiness in your daily life. While struggles and challenges are inevitable, the truth is that the Lord’s love is always deeper than your pain. This means that regardless of what you go through, you have a reason to be glad. Divine joy is not fake, nor is something that’s conjured up. Rather, it’s a profound state of peace and contentment that bubbles up from within. It’s a choice to see the positive instead of the negative and to put full faith in the promises of God instead of your feelings or circumstances. A cheerful heart gives you strength to face each day, and it’s a direct outgrowth of an abiding, life-giving relationship with the living Christ. He is the root of every form of satisfaction, and He invites you to drink constantly from His river of delights!