Choose Happiness

07/13/2010

Lifestyle

<p style="text-align: center;">Photo by <a href="http://keelymariescott.com">Keely Scott</a></p>

This week I’m in Guatemala with Compassion International on a trip that’s a little different than the norm for me. I’m here with a church from Virginia. DecembeRadio is here as well and they actually helped influence a group from their church to come on this trip. So today we are off to help roof a church partner and build new bathrooms. Don’t worry. I brought my work gloves.

On to the story…

Last night as we were all sitting around, one lady said, “When I met these kids and the family we visited with today, I was amazed at how horrible their living conditions were compared to mine. I saw all of this intense poverty around them and yet… they were happy.” She went onto say “I know part of this is because they have Christ in their lives and are connected to the Compassion program, but still… I’m in awe of how anyone could do that… still be happy.”

Every time I come on these trips I see what this lady saw. I see happiness in the midst of conditions that would send most of us into depression or at least into a state of mind that would seem very hopeless.

The lesson I take away from this experience is this.

No matter what I’m going through in life, I feel like I have no excuse but to make only one choice when I wake up in the mornings to start my day… that choice must be happiness.

Sure, I struggle with and deal with things in my life and my life is nowhere near perfect. But… I see what I have compared to what the vast majority of people living in poverty have and can’t help but to think…

I have nothing to complain about when the people I meet on these trips have this kind of happiness in their lives.

Yes, they know they live in poor conditions and they aren’t always content with that… yes they are always looking for ways to make ends meet…

And yes… they would grab opportunity by the horns if it meant a better life for their family.

And yet it’s so much harder than that for them here… it’s much easier said than done.

And the still choose happiness.

So… I choose happiness.

I know a lot of people who wake up feeling sad, mad and ready to kick someone because their life isn’t working out the way they want.

Well… you know what? I think that no matter if you have Christ in your life or not. You We have been given the opportunity and responsibility to choose happiness and make the most of what we have been given through our relationships with friends, family and the life we are living.

Am I off base here? Because I know I can be a little black and white on this subject.

How do view your happiness? How do you choose to start each day even though things in your life might be really tough?

Photo by Keely Scott

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  • http://intensedebate.com/profiles/mndunn26 mndunn26

    Great post, Spence. Such a beautiful and convicting thing– choosing happiness, deciding to be joyful, being resolved to remember Who's we are and what we have in Christ. I can't help but think that Jesus didn't WANT to go to the cross, but He CHOSE to do so, "for the joy set before Him." What joy might that have been? Reconciling us to Himself. The ultimate romance.

    I just got really excited about this day! Enjoy your time there and come back safely!

    • http://intensedebate.com/people/SpenceSmith SpenceSmith

      Thanks Meridith! I hope you really had a great day

  • http://intensedebate.com/people/JasonWert JasonWert

    I really can't comment beyond what you said because you've nailed this. You're so far on base we can't even see the base anymore. :)

    Be safe, Spence.

    • http://intensedebate.com/people/SpenceSmith SpenceSmith

      ha! Thanks Jason!

  • http://lifewithjding.com Joel

    You’ve really said it well, Spence.You’re not off base at all. In fact I’ve seen in my travels that so many of these wonderful people don’t know anything different. So there’s no comparison. They have come to know God in their location, their life, their situation — an absolutely beautiful and pure relationship. I am astounded time and time again (although I guess I shouldn’t be) at how God speaks to the hearts of people despite circumstance, social status or geographic location. Great post brother. Praying for you during this trip!

    • http://intensedebate.com/people/SpenceSmith SpenceSmith

      thank you joel… i really like what you said here…God speaks to the hearts of people despite circumstance, social status or geographic location.

  • Becky Dela Cruz

    Shows that you have put a lot of thought into happiness & what it means. I have had a lot of loss in my life & still I have it so good I can't believe God's goodness. I don't deserve a thing I have, not health, home, car, and all the junk I drag around saying "I can't live w/o this." Thank you for the great reminder.

    • http://intensedebate.com/people/SpenceSmith SpenceSmith

      thanks. I know how you feel… and yes, i've spent a good bit of time thinking this one through. I've had some pretty unhappy times that i finally realized were situations i had a say in. I think at least when i know i'm having a bad day i can own up to it and try to change it a bit.

      thanks for your comment.

  • http://intensedebate.com/people/kevindeshazo kevindeshazo

    Well said and a kick to the stomach for me. Not to be too black and white, but I think anybody that would try to argue against you here would be way off base. We produce, consume and accumulate (then start over) to try and achieve "happiness", yet end up with anything but. The reality is it's just a choice. Regardless of our circumstances (which are obviously real), we have the choice to choose our attitude. It's too easy for me to wake up and start complaining. You have to be intentional about choosing happiness. Something I must get better at. Quickly. Good stuff man.

    • http://intensedebate.com/people/SpenceSmith SpenceSmith

      Thanks Kevin. You said something that i think is a key factor… and not always easy to do… but you said, You have to be intentional about choosing happiness…. man, that is sooo true!

      thanks again.

  • http://twitter.com/scott_hunter_ @scott_hunter_

    We all need to reach beyond our own stuff [yes, that means selfishness at some level] and view the world in a big picture way. We saw the same exact thing this past year that you did in several people living in severe poverty in Nicaragua – they were not only happy, but they themselves were reaching out to the community around them to make a difference. In neighborhoods where there are daily stabbings, shootings and all sorts of dangers – not to mention the daily dealing with overcrowding, lack of clean water or food, health issues, and poverty at an extreme level.

    I was astounded by the joy that I saw.

    What I see all too often in America, just for contrast, is people in their large SUVs speeding through the drive-ins and getting angry if things take more than 45 seconds or if their order isn't quite exact – like the world owes it all to them because they're so smart or educated or well-endowed.

    off base? are you kidding me? no way.

    • http://intensedebate.com/people/SpenceSmith SpenceSmith

      Thanks Scott… sometimes i feel like we (americans) live in a world that moves way to fast and enables us to feel way more entitled than we ever should be. it's a challenge to slow things down and be happy and content with the speed… it's always a good reminder for me as well…

      thanks for your comment!

  • http://intensedebate.com/profiles/tejasfan His Girl

    I must confess I am struggling with this today. To make things worse I got sad for being sad. lol. I can laugh at it now because you helped straighten out my perspective. My challenges today do not compare to what so many are facing and yet they choose happiness. I think it's time for me to turn on a little Church Music by Crowder band. Oh Happiness….

    • http://intensedebate.com/people/SpenceSmith SpenceSmith

      Hey Carol…. well i hope you had a really good day now:)

      • http://intensedebate.com/profiles/tejasfan His Girl

        Yes and getting better. Thanks.

  • http://intensedebate.com/profiles/gritandglory alece

    so guilty of wanting to kick someone all too often. but you're right. joy is a choice. one that isn't dependent on my circumstances. it's only dependent on my heart. and my heart, when anchored in Him, can choose joy no matter what i'm going through.

    thanks for the reminder. (in the gentle punch-to-the-stomach kinda way…)

    • http://intensedebate.com/people/SpenceSmith SpenceSmith

      Thanks for the comment Alece:) i hope your tummy feels better…. there's a really great thought in what you are saying here… joy is a choice. one that isn't dependent on my circumstances. it's only dependent on my heart. and my heart, when anchored in Him, can choose joy no matter what i'm going through.

      yep… that is so true.

  • http://mamasgonecrazy.wordpress.com Kristina

    You're right on target.____It's a choice. It's a choice of attitude. And all of that leads to our actions. By choosing to be happy, joyful and content in every aspect of our life, then that will lead to living a better life. ____It's a reminder for me to. Thank you!

  • http://intensedebate.com/people/SpenceSmith SpenceSmith

    Thanks for the comment, Kristina!

  • http://lynnwittenburg.com Lynn Wittenburg

    I had the great pleasure of going to Africa with Women of Faith back in 2006. I think i made the same comment as the woman on your trip. At first, i just could not grasp how someone could be happy considering their surroundings. Then i realized, it wasn't about their surroundings at all. Those children in that small African village were "happier" than most people i know in the states. So, i too, chose happiness.

    • http://intensedebate.com/people/SpenceSmith SpenceSmith

      Thanks for the comment Alece:) i hope your tummy feels better…. there's a really great thought in what you are saying here… joy is a choice. one that isn't dependent on my circumstances. it's only dependent on my heart. and my heart, when anchored in Him, can choose joy no matter what i'm going through.

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  • Ani

    This made me think about something in the Bible where it says choose life, choose blessing. You are not off base here. You just nailed it. We have to be grateful. Grateful for life, grateful for a roof above our head. There is so much to be grateful for. I believe if we start to be grateful there is no room for sadness or complaining. Today I read in a book that God is everywhere, in the sunrise every morning, in the smile of a child. Like that girl on the picture …. wow, so beautiful, it says it all.

  • http://intensedebate.com/people/SpenceSmith SpenceSmith

    thanks for your comment Ani. i think you are right, He is everywhere…. and Choose Life… yep. I thought of that too. Have you ever heard that song?

  • Ani

    Choose Life… I have! Forgot about that one. Found out a while ago you were in a band, you rock star! I just found it on YouTube and I'm listening to it now. Forgot also how good it is. It's so simple. Choose life that you might life, the life that he give.
    Really simple: choose life, choose blessing, choose Jesus. All of a sudden I feel so blessed. Thank you Lord for life and the blessings. Thanks Spence for this.

  • http://www.andthentherewere2.blogspot.com Jen

    Hi – I totally agree with this post & often tell myself “Happiness is a choice….choose it” when I’m down or overwhelmed. I believe Jesus instills true joy in our hearts that cannot be taken away by circumstances or people. However, it can be easy to substitute it for temporary/false joy that the world offers and lose sight of what is real and lasting. It always enlightens & challenges me when I’m around others who live a life of joy & gratitude amidst poverty/extreme hardships…..reminds me how important it is to have faith like a child rather than all the other crazy things I try to throw in to complicate it. Thanks for this post as it serves as a very important reminder to me!

    The reason I felt to compelled to comment though was because of your picture . She is ABSOLUTELY beautiful & it makes me smile when I look at it – LOVE it!! :-)

  • http://intensedebate.com/profiles/mitchebie Mitch Ebie

    Some days happiness is natural and other days it is a decision. I do a few things: 1) listen to positive music on the way to work 2) read something uplifting 3) look at myself and the mirror and force a smile….it usually makes me laugh.

  • http://intensedebate.com/profiles/blakeunfettered Blake Bergstrom

    this story reminded me of how awesome you are. i like you Spence. you are a very good man!!