Joy is a choice we can make, no matter the circumstances that surround us. Many years ago when my wife and I both lost our jobs on the same day, we went home and did a victory lap in our kitchen! God had something new in store for us. We just decided to exercise our faith and trust Him. After all, Philippians 4:4 tells us:

Rejoice, and then, rejoice again!

Paul, the author of Philippians, then goes on to say why we can rejoice in all circumstances. “Be anxious for nothing,” he says, “but in everything by prayer, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”

Jesus said, “Whatever you ask in prayer, believe you have received it, and it will be yours.” Mark 11:24

In this one sentence, Jesus sets forth a monumental concept that makes the impossible, possible. The key:

Believe!

I have witnessed more impossible miracles that I have prayed for come to pass than I could possibly list on multiple pairs of hands. In every instance, I believed without a doubt that they would come to pass. There are others that I have prayed over, some for more than a decade, that have not yet come to pass, but they will. I’m no different than you, I’ve just chosen to take Jesus at his word. I’ve not given myself the luxury to pick and choose which ones of Jesus promises to believe, and which ones not to believe. The Bible tells us that our job is to have faith, His job is to fulfill His word.

“Whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue, and if there is anything praiseworthy – meditate on these things.” Philippians 4:8

Joy can prove to be elusive when the stress of life hits us. Thankfully, I often remember my grandmother saying to me as a child,

Count Your Blessings.

It may sound simple or cliche to hear that, but give it a try for yourself. Something amazing happens when we stop judging our lives based on those around us, and simply focus on the blessings in our own lives. Whether little or great, they are worth celebrating today. Paul knew this when he wrote his letter of encouragement to the church in Philippi (modern day Northern Greece), saying, “if anything is praiseworthy, meditate on these things“