This reminded me of how it is difficult to get through each day with all the stress in our life right now, however, we have a choice to praise Jesus for all he does. I will continue to rejoice, even when I feel burdened by the stress of my every day life.



The Choice to Rejoice

Habakkuk 3:18......."Yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my salvation." During Habakkuk's life he faced a time when he stood to lose everything. We see this in our society today....right now......with our failing economy. We also stand to lose what little we may have on this earth. Habakkuk was about to lose his crops and livestock, which was his means of making a living.

These words "I will" shows his belief that he could "choose" his response to the approaching loss. He could either sink into despair or rejoice in God's redeeming power. Although his decision was not a denial of his pain, it WAS a decision of his trust that God would stay with him and be his strength and enabler.

We also have this same choice every day. Refusing to choose is also a choice. It's an unconscious consent to be "overcome" rather than to be an "overcomer." Loss and pain will happen in this life........but we CAN choose to REJOICE!!

When rough the path from day to day,
When sorrows fill our eyes with tears,
Our choice to find our joy in Christ
Can soothe our soul and calm our fears. (D. DeHaan)