Choose Happy

Community Contributed

Opinion by Rick Baptiste

Did you know that being happy is a choice?  The other day I came across someone in a meeting that didn’t seem to be “happy” with me.  On the other hand, this person didn’t seem to be “happy” with anyone else as well.  I chose to speak encouragements to all those around me, and the whole environment changed in the room.

Have you ever heard someone say, “I wonder which side of the bed he got up from this morning?” or “I think she is having a bad day,” etc. Before I get out of bed, I choose to think of things to be grateful for and then I say out loud, “This is the day the Lord has made, I will rejoice and be glad in it” from Psalms 118:24.   “I will” means that I choose, and “rejoice” means to be joyful over and over again.  It means that I choose “happy.”

Have you ever heard of the “Triple D?” And I am not referring to “Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives from Food Network.  In 1Samuel 17 is a story of David (God’s appointed king) who escaped from King Saul who was jealous of him to the cave of Adullam. In 1 Sam 22:2 King James Version (KJV), “And every one that was in distress, and every one that was in debt, and every one that was discontented, gathered themselves unto him; and he became a captain over them: and there were with him about 400 men.”

Bam, there it is: the “Triple D” — 400 men that were in “distress, debt, and discontent” — followed King David into the cave.  Later, the scriptures refer to David’s “mighty men.” Imagine, you being that one of 400 who is not complaining or gossiping but instead blessing and encouraging.

In Romans 5:3-4 KJV, “And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience;And patience, experience; and experience, hope”.  I want you to underline the word “patience” in your heart because this is what develops “hope.” We want every person in our community to have hope.  Good things will eventually come to you if you are patient, see Galatians 6:9.  I encourage you to see patience as the pathway of becoming a person of hope and becoming “Triple D,” dependable, dedicated, and devoted.  Be patient, be hopeful and choose “happy.” Don’t stress, jus bless.