Happiness is Something You Decide Ahead of Time

Everyone wants to be happy. But happiness is more about a state of mind than having things work out. A man in his 90’s lost his wife of 60 years. Checking into a nursing home, an attendant described his new room to him. The old man replied, “I love it.” The attendant laughed and said, “But you haven’t even seen it yet.” Without missing a beat the old man shot back, “That doesn’t have anything to do with it. Happiness is something you decide ahead of time.” What an extraordinary response! The Bible challenged us “…be exceedingly joyful in all…tribulation…” (2 Cor. 7:4) I’ve found that happiness is not having what you want, it’s wanting what you have. That’s why happiness is available to everyone. It’s just a new perspective away. Today, be grateful for what you have. Happiness is something you decide ahead of time. So, I’ve made my decision, I ask God every day, “Help me to receive the joy that is hidden beneath the surface of my circumstance.” And, you know what? That’s a prayer God keeps answering.