Make up your mind to live your life joyful

“I’ve not been given a spirit of fear, but of power, and of love, and of sound mind” (1 Timothy 2:7).

Eleanor H. Porter’s 1913 novel, “Pollyanna” was a success when it was published. Then, years later, actress Halley Mills starred in the movie version. She portrayed the optimistic, infectiously joyful orphan, Pollyanna Whittier.

Young Pollyanna moved to the United States from England to live with her aunt because her mother and father both died as missionaries in Africa.

Throughout the film, Pollyanna always searched for the positive side of each situation. Pollyanna didn’t ignore the negative. Rather, she chose not to dwell on it. This young girl did her best to look for the good in herself and also to see the good in others. She humbled herself under the mighty hand of God, and her joy affected everyone in her realm of influence. For Pollyanna tried to make something beneficial out of every circumstance, adversity, or disappointment.

In the movie, Pollyanna spoke of a quote from Abraham Lincoln that she wore in a locket around her neck. Her father gave her the locket and within were these words, “When you look for the bad in mankind expecting to find it, you surely will.”

Next, Pollyanna said, “After my father heard that quote he looked only for the good in people and made up the ‘glad’ game.” This was a game her father started to cover up the challenges and difficulties of life. Pollyanna went on to recall her father saying, “If God took the trouble to tell us in the Bible 800 times to be ‘glad,’ He must have wanted us to do it.”

We all have had our share of sorrows, disappointments and challenges. Thus, we must have a regimen of discipline to combat the negativity that can sometimes bombard our minds.

Remember, the focus of our thoughts is what determines our attitudes and feelings. One negative thought can neutralize dozens of positive ones, and this can severely impact your day. Therefore, let’s saturate our whole being with, as Pollyanna said, the “glad” verses in the Bible. Let’s put them in our memory and speak and repeat them aloud daily. Here are a few:

• “This is the day that the Lord has made, I will rejoice and be glad in it” (Psalm 118:24).

• “Thou has put gladness in my heart” (Psalm 126:5).

• “But let the righteous be glad; let them rejoice before God; yea, let them exceedingly rejoice” (Psalm 68:3).

• “Come before His presence with thanksgiving and make a joyful noise unto the Lord” (Psalm 95:2).

• “Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice” (Philippians 4:4).

Condition your mind to look for the good. And get on a positive track by living out what the apostle Paul wrote to the Philippians (4:8-9): “Whatever is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable…. if anything is excellent or praise worthy… think about such things … and the God of peace will be with you.”

Smile; grin from ear to ear. Stand up tall. Center your attention on your blessings. Appreciation works miracles and adjusts our thinking. A grateful heart is a happy heart; so let us fill our mind with thankfulness, and we can find ourselves renewed and strengthened. Even a few small changes can make a huge difference. Thus, try this: Sit down and make a list of 10 things you’re grateful for right now. Of what are you most proud? Who in your life do you love? Who loves you? Jot down the answers that come into your heart.

Every morning talk optimistically Allow good to overflow in your life by deliberately, consciously and consistently asserting positive words. Remember; use exact declarations to meet definite needs. Talk of the upside. Call them forth. Draw them in. Pray them again and again. Stand on the promises of God and declare what He is going to do for you.

During the day, utter, “There are new beginnings in my future,” “God is guiding me to victory,” “New friendships and opportunities are just around the corner,” “With God all things are possible,” “I will successfully defeat this challenge,” “God has great plans for me,” “I am blessed with ever-increasing health,” “Good is coming into my life,” “I am strong in the Lord and the power of His might,” “God will complete the good work He has begun in me,” “The Lord will rise to my defense,” “Goodness and mercy will follow me,” and “I will pass on a kindness to five people today.”

In the evening, pray for your family and friends and picture your dreams coming to pass. Banish unhelpful thoughts, a limited mind-set, or feelings of inadequacy. In your mind’s eye, see yourself healthy, joyful, and contented, and you will move toward that vision. Decide to step off the negative thought road and choose to walk on the thinking-positive path, which will lead you to a better and brighter future.

American author and poet, Ella Wheeler-Wilcox wrote,

“Talk happiness; talk faith; talk health. Say you are well, and all is well with you, and God shall hear your words and make them true.”

Then, watch for God’s Hand to move on your behalf. For soon, you’ll see the manifestation of God’s promises come to pass. God is loving and just, and His Word will never fail you. So stand upon and confidently trust His promises.

God is a miracle-worker. So don’t settle for less than you can be. He has a bright future in store for you. Hence, never stop believing, because miracles happen every day. And your miracle could happen today.

Give, serve, and love others as you speak blessing into your life… and thank God every day, trusting in the One who loves you so much!

So make up your mind to live your life joyful.