I’m as Happy as I Choose to Be

In review of Philippians 1:18, Paul says,  “It does not matter! I am happy about it, just so Christ is preached in every way possible, whether from wrong or right motives. And I will continue to be happy” (GNT).

In Philippians 1, Paul realized that his current circumstances weren't as important as what he did with them. Turning a bad situation into a good one, he reached out and encouraged Christians who were afraid of persecution. I may not be in prison, but I still have plenty of opportunities to be discouraged, times of indecision, financial burdens, family conflict, church conflict, or the loss of a job. How I act in such situations will reflect what I believe. Like Paul, I can look for ways to demonstrate my faith even in bad situations. Whether or not the situation improves, my faith will grow stronger. 

When I speak fearlessly for Christ or live faithfully for him during difficult situations, I encourage others to do the same. I can be an encouragement by the way I live.  If I have difficulty accepting my station in life, or resent where God has placed me, I need to realize that God puts me in a place to serve. He wants me to serve him faithfully and joyfully.

Few things rob my happiness faster than being criticized or feeling like others are working against me. We all want to be loved. We all want approval. We all want people to like us.

Yet Paul says in Philippians 1:18, “It does not matter! I am happy about it—just so Christ is preached in every way possible, whether from wrong or right motives. And I will continue to be happy” (GNT).

I don’t need other people’s approval to be happy. I’m as happy as I choose to be! If others are unhappy with me, that’s their choice. If I haven’t earned someone’s approval by now, I’m probably not going to get it. And I’m going to be miserable if I try to live for the approval of everybody else.

Paul later explains in verses 29 and 30 why you can be happy no matter what: “You have been given not only the privilege of trusting in Christ but also the privilege of suffering for him. We are in this struggle together. You have seen my struggle in the past, and you know that I am still in the midst of it” (NLT).

Paul says it is a privilege to suffer when you’re doing the right thing because you’re most like Jesus when I face opposition and rejection.

I can be happy no matter what happens if I look at every problem from God’s viewpoint and never let what other people say or do control my happiness.

In summary, I'm as happy as I choose to be. Like Paul, he was happy as long as Christ was preached. Paul realized that his current circumstances weren't as important as what he did with them.  I have plenty of opportunities to be discouraged. How I act will reflect what I believe. I can look for ways to demonstrate my faith even in bad situations. Whether or not the situation improves, my faith will grow stronger. When I speak fearlessly for Christ or live faithfully for him during difficult situations, I encourage others to do the same. I can be an encouragement by the way I live. I need to realize that God puts me in a place to serve. He wants me to serve him faithfully and joyfully. I can be happy no matter what happens if I look at every problem from God's viewpoint and never let what other people say or do control my happiness. 

Today I’m thankful for the reminder that I can be as happy as I choose to be. I don’t need anyone’s approval than God’s. Father I pray today for your wisdom and guidance for my day, my leadership and my interactions with others. I ask this through your Son Jesus name, amen.