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I am a firm believer in self-fulfilling prophecies. What I mean by that is, if you are determined to find flaws with something, you will. On the flip side, if you choose to see the positive potential in a situation, you will inevitably find it.

It’s frustrating to live in a world with so much negativity. We are constantly surrounded by bad news. As an encourager and an optimist, it’s exhausting to be positive for people who seem to have made up their mind that no good is in their situation. The fact is, we have a choice.

Yet I will rejoice in the Lord! I will be joyful in the God of my salvation! Habakkuk‬ ‭3‬:‭18‬ ‭NLT‬‬

A little backstory: Habakkuk is one of the minor prophets through whom God spoke. As the people of Judah and Israel live in depravity and corruption, Habakkuk openly asks God why there is no punishment. The Lord reveals to the prophet that Babylon will eventually overtake the people, and they will live in exile for seventy years.

Habakkuk is frustrated with the darkness surrounding him. Yet, he prays that God shows mercy in His wrath against the people of Israel and Judah. He does goes on to pray through all of the terrible things that will happen to them, and then he boldly declares his joy in spite of it all. 

Habakkuk makes a choice to choose joy in a moment where there is chaos and turmoil. It felt like nothing was going well. YET HE REJOICED! There is so much that can happen when we choose to praise instead of complain. The situation may be simple or significant, but joy is yours for the taking. 

When we are acting in the fruits of the Spirit. We are allowing God to be our strength instead of fighting the battle on our own. So at the end of the day, which do you choose? Because, really, it’s all in how you look at things.


© Jill Cook and Unbroken & Undone Ministries.  All rights reserved.

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