Welcome back church! Great to see you this morning! I genuinely hope your week was happier! I know that sometimes it’s difficult to “will” ourselves to happiness. And I don’t think that God wants us to do that as well. He wants us to choose joy… to choose happiness. And I will be 100% upfront with you. THAT IS HARD!!

When it looks like others are having immediate success in areas you have been struggling in and work for a long time…it’s hard to chose happiness.

When it’s obvious that others are simply doing what they do to spite you, be it jealousy or just a vendetta against you to show everyone else that they are just as good or better…it’s hard to chose happiness.

When it seems like every prayer request is going unanswered and we just don’t understand “why”… it’s hard to chose happiness.

I don’t know about you, but I have experienced these things… from life situations to praying for health issues in myself and my family in seasons past. From the church and its current season to the new building we so eagerly desire to be able to use so we can offer more to our community.

It’s not always easy to choose happiness!

Recap:
Big Idea - We find joy in experiencing God’s unearned forgiveness and knowing that nothing can stop him from finishing what he has already started in our lives.

Application Point - God’s grace fills our hearts with Joy.

If you don't let life's difficulties own you in the moment, then you won't be defined by your seasons but rather your steadfastness.

Big Idea: God will use every opportunity—good or bad—to spread the message of Jesus.
Application Point: Rather than complaining through our circumstances, we should rejoice that God can use them to share the light of Christ.

“Find where God is and get behind what He’s doing. He always wins.” – John Wimber

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