Can people choose how they feel or must circumstances determine their feelings? Some would say, “Because of a personal tragedy, I feel unhappy.” But must the circumstances of our lives really determine how we feel, or do we choose our happiness quotient?

The first step to climb out of the black hole of unhappiness is to figure out why you are unhappy. Ask yourself the question, “Why am I unhappy?” If your answer is something like “How can I be happy when” or “I can’t be happy until” then it probably means that you are putting conditions on your happiness. Think about it. Do you really want to limit yourself to being happy only if certain conditions are met?

Some other answers to this question could be, “You make me unhappy” or, “If it wasn’t for him I would be happy.” These answers point out that you are “blaming others for your lack of happiness.” Do you want to go through life depending on other people to make you happy? I don’t!

Vicki Griffin states, “It is also important to remember that the way we think is also affected by the lifestyle choices we make, such as diet, exercise, and rest.”

Another important key to happiness is found in God’s Word. Genesis 2:7 says that God gave us life, and we are living! We aren’t just robots that have to think a certain way because of a certain circumstance. We CAN choose how we feel because choice is a gift from God.
Situations will arise in our lives that could cause us unhappiness, but we don’t have to stay that way. Use your power of choice--grasp the hand of Jesus and choose to be happy! Choose to live your life for a God who understands all about your situation. He loves you with all His heart and wants you to be happy.

CHOOSE GOD, CHOOSE LIFE, and CHOOSE HAPPINESS! It’s YOUR CHOICE!