Today sucked, let’s just say that. Everything that could go wrong did. Do you ever have days like that?
So, I’ve got two choices. I can either:
(a) Let my circumstances control ME
or
(b) Not let my circumstances control me
I choose (b)
Today I will choose joy
Last year, I was watching a sermon on TV and the Pastor took a soda bottle. He said, “this bottle represents you.” And then he shook it violently, then much to our surprise, opened the cap and soda flew everywhere. He went on to say that in life, we are shaken. Circumstances happen, LIFE happens. This world is not perfect, and we have to deal with life when it shakes us. We cannot control life. We cannot control it if we are shaken, BUT, he said, we CAN control the outcome.
He went a little further and asked, “what made the soda spill all over?” Of course, my first reaction was, “well you shook it, of course!” But the next thing that proceeded out of his mouth, would forever change my life.
He said that it wasn’t life or circumstances or the shaking that made the soda spill all over! “HUH,” I thought to myself. He went on to explain, that if he shook a water bottle (and demonstrated it), nothing would happen when he opened the bottle. He could shake and shake and shake and the liquid would not fly everywhere when he opened it.
The problem wasn’t the shaking. The problem wasn’t life or what we all deal with daily that is not fun. No, the problem is US. You see, I’m a sinner. I was born into my sin and until I leave earth, I’m stuck in this flesh suit that wants me to sin. It’s the contents of the bottle, the soda; it’s me!
Scripture Bible Verses:
Matthew 12:34b says “For the mouth speaks out of that which fills the heart.”
Luke 6:45: “The good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth what is good; and the evil man out of the evil treasure brings forth what is evil; for his mouth speaks from that which fills his heart.”
Today, even though I was shaken violently, I chose to be a water bottle instead of a soda bottle. I chose to not let my circumstances get the better of me, I chose joy and happiness as I held onto Jesus and His Word.
Download the printable below…
Download the printable, Today I Will Choose Joy here.
What will you be the next time YOU are shaken? Will you be choosing joy in hard times? Will you choose to be joyful always or brood in discontentment?
