Happiness Is a Decision, Daily Devotional By Joel Osteen, Pastor of Lakewood Church
Philippians 4
Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Philippians 4:8 NIV
John was ninety-two years old and blind, but he was just as sharp as could be when his wife, Eleanor, went to the Lord. He didn’t feel he should live alone, so John decided to move into a nice seniors’ home.
On the morning of the move, he was up and fully dressed by 8:00 a.m. As always, the elderly gentleman looked impeccable, with his hair perfectly combed and his face neatly clean-shaven.
A cab picked him up and took him to the seniors’ home. John arrived early, as was his habit, and waited several minutes before a young aide, Miranda, came to show him to his new room.
As John maneuvered his walker through the hallways, Miranda described his room in great detail. She said sunlight came in through a big window, and there was a comfortable couch, and a nice desk area.
Right in the middle of her description, John interrupted her and said, “I love it. I love it. I love it.”
Miranda laughed and said, “Sir, we’re not there yet. You haven’t seen it. Hold on just a minute, and I’ll show it to you.”
John said, “No, you don’t have to show it to me. Whether I like my room or not doesn’t depend on how the furniture is arranged. It depends on how my mind is arranged. Happiness is something you decide ahead of time.”
As wise old John understood, happiness is a choice. When you wake up in the morning, you can choose what kind of day you want to have.
You can choose to be in a good mood or you can choose to be in a bad mood.
Today’s Prayer
Father, today I choose to be happy. I choose to dwell on things that are good, true, pure, and lovely. Fill me with your peace as I keep my mind on You. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.
Joel Osteen
Joel Osteen is the senior pastor of the Lakewood Church congregation in Houston, Texas, which is one of the largest churches in the United States; according to Forbes and Outreach magazine, with 60,000 members.
