Rejoice!

Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Finally brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable - if anything is excellent or praiseworthy - think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me - put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.
- Philippians 4:4-9

Positive thinking is a choice that we all have to make. You know those people that are insanely happy, all the time? That always have a smile, a joke, a grin, a chuckle to go along with everything? Who, no matter what the circumstance, always seem to find that silver lining? Guess what! They aren't that way NATURALLY! They wake up every morning and choose to be happy.

Happiness is controlled by our circumstances...or rather we allow it to be controlled by our circumstances. When something bad happens, we complain or whine or pout. When someone dies, we are sad. When we stub our toe, we get angry. BUT...we have the power to counteract these "natural" circumstance-based emotions. When something bad happens, CHOOSE to smile and thank God that nothing worse happened! When someone dies, CHOOSE to rejoice in their previous life, the impact they had on you, and (hopefully) their time now in heaven! When you stub your toe, CHOOSE to laugh at yourself!

Now here's the best part...happiness is controlled by our choices right? We have to work hard to change our attitudes and our hearts to keep that happiness in line. But as Christians, it's so much easier because the joy of the Lord is our strength! Rejoice in the Lord always, and again I say rejoice!

Lord knows, I struggle with negativity as much as the next person. It's easy to let your thoughts spiral you into a state of depression and anxiety. But no more I say! There's so much to be thankful for, so many blessings in my life, so many things to learn and so much time to be spent with God, how can I waste it with "glass is half empty" approaches to life?!

Count your blessings, name them one by one
Count your blessings, see what God has done
Count your blessings, name them one by one
Count your blessings, see what God has done

Every week, I get to meet with 16 women from all walks of life and learn from them and laugh with them and cry with them and pray with them.

Every day, I get to wake up and see my family.

Every day, I get to get on my face before God and fellowship with Him.

Every day, I get to go to work and earn money to pay off bills, debts, and to invest in other people.

Every Sunday, I get to work with the cutest, most adorable little 2 and 3 year olds.

This is the Christmas Spirit guys!!! This is what Christmas is all about!!! Who says we can't have Christmas all year round!? As Christians, we can't HELP but have Christmas every single day!

Hallelujah, Praise Jesus, Amen, say it again!