Day 17: Proverbs Road Trio

Proverbs 17:22 A happy heart is like good medicine, but a broken spirit drains your strength.

One of the tragic realities of life is that most of us assume other people exist on this Earth to make us happy. We live our lives responding to other people’s actions, worry about other people’s motives, and generally allow other people to either “make us happy” or “break our spirits”.

Such a “world view” is totally false. OTHER PEOPLE DO NOT MAKE US HAPPY; WE MAKE OURSELVES HAPPY. We determine how we live with our feelings and thoughts, not other people! We choose. No matter how others act toward us, no matter what they say – we have the power over our own feelings, actions and thoughts.

But...and this is very important...we are NOT ALONE. The Bible tells us that the “fruit” (results) of God’s Spirit living inside us is JOY and PEACE, both of which are far more lasting than temporary happiness. Happiness never leads to joy, but joy can sustain happiness.

Today my goal is to not let the events of the day break me down, instead I wish to allow God’s Spirit to direct me into joy and peace...and then I will be happy!