The Most Positive People In The World

By Rich Peterson

True or False? Most people would rather be happy than sad.

• Most people choose gladness over sadness.
• Most people choose celebration over mourning.
• Most people prefer attending a wedding over attending a funeral.
• Most people prefer joy to sadness.
• And most people prefer to be around those who are joyful rather than hang around people who are depressed.

That said, there is nothing more ridiculous than pretend joy. Nothing more preposterous than a plastic, put on, pump-yourself-up, artificial hope. Nothing worse than the TV commercial mom who becomes overwhelmingly euphoric when her liquid detergent does a number on that water-spotted dish!

There seem to be few things more important than being happy, but let’s be honest: Sometimes things don’t go as planned, sometimes our days are filled with despair, depression and even disaster.

So, how can we stay positive in a negative world? How can we remain hope-filled when everything is falling apart?

This is where JOY comes into play.

Galatians 5:22 says, “The fruit of the Spirit is…joy.” Philippians 4:4 reminds us, “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!”

Happiness depends on happenings. The word happy comes from a root word meaning luck or circumstance. But joy is different. Joy is deeper. Joy is an attitude, a choice. Joy is an inside job. Joy is not dependent on situations or circumstances, it’s dependent upon God’s Spirit in our lives.

Joy is what makes life enjoyable. When we choose joy, our life is greatly enhanced.

Three Reasons Christians Can Be The Most Positive People In The World:

GOD GIVES US HOPE IN CHRIST

Therefore, since we have been made right in God’s sight by faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us. Because of our faith, Christ has brought us into this place of undeserved privilege where we now stand, and we confidently and joyfully look forward to sharing God’s glory. (Romans 5:1-2, NLT).

• It has been said that a person can live forty days without food, three days without water, eight minutes without air, but not one minute without hope.
• For a Christian, no situation is completely hopeless.
• The hope we have in Christ allows us to rejoice even in difficult situations.

GOD HAS A PURPOSE IN EVERY SITUATION

We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation.  And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love (Romans 5:3-5, NLT).

Joy is learning to enjoy life despite problems. Joy is not the absence of suffering- it is the presence of God. Paul can say we rejoice in suffering because God is always by our side. He never leaves us, nor forsakes us.

GOD IS ALWAYS WITH US

So now we can rejoice in our wonderful new relationship with God because our Lord Jesus Christ has made us friends of God (Romans 5:11, NLT).

We can be joyful because no matter what the circumstance – God is always with us no matter what we are facing. As believers we have been reconciled to God through Jesus Christ. We have become God’s friends, and this friendship will last forever.

No matter what you go through in life, you need never go through it without hope, need never go through it without God’s purpose, and need never go through it alone!

Three exceptionally good reasons why Christians can be the most positive people in the world!

Gospel Impact Challenge:

Copy the browser link, and as you share the link to your social media, write an answer to one of the questions. Or you can comment below.

• What is the difference between happiness and joy?
• Share an example of joy in your life now that you understand the difference between happiness and joy.
• Where, in your life, have you felt hopeless and how did you overcome?
• Encourage a friend or relative with a Bible verse on joy today via text, direct messaging, messaging, WhatsApp, or email.

Previous Devotionals:

• How to Walk Your Dog (click here)
• A Word of Challenge
• Authenticity in Barbie Land (click here)
• A Prayer To Our Holy Father (click here)
• Celebrate Our Great God (click here)
• Hit The Pause Button and Celebrate (click here)
• Jesus and Solitude (download here)
• The Practice of Solitude (click here)