“It is not happiness that makes us grateful. It is gratefulness that makes us happy. Every moment is a gift, whatever life gives to you, you can respond with joy. Joy is the happiness that does not depend on what happens. It is the grateful response to the opportunity that life offers you at this moment” David Steindl-Rast
Ordinary happiness depends on happenstance. Joy is that extra-ordinary happiness that is independent of what happens to us be it good or bad. Many are unhappy, irritated, and depressed simply because they cannot see beyond their present predicaments. If you want to live a life of constant joy and excitement, you have to develop habit and attitude of gratitude. You must create atmosphere of gratefulness, even when you do not have reasons to rejoice.
Be grateful at all times, be grateful for all things, be grateful no matter how seemingly little or insignificant it looks. There is no way depression can dwell in a heart that is full of gratitude. Never compare yourself to other people around you. That is beginning of ingratitude. Never compare your status with those who are above you. We are running the race of life with nobody. It is a personal adventure. You run your race, I run my race.
Get your mind off your challenges and difficulties; get it fixed on the greatness of your God, who can do all things at all times. Remember that, you can do all things through Christ that strengthens you. Take your mind off the problems of life and focus on the faithfulness of God. Take your mind off the battles of life and focus on God who can give you victory. Remember this, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Take your mind off that unfavourable medical report and focus on that Great Physician who can heal all sicknesses. Remember this, but He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement for our peace was upon Him, and by His stripes we are healed. Take your mind off the losses you have suffered and focus on the Restorer. Remember this, I will restore to you the years that the swarming locust has eaten, the crawling locust, the consuming locust, and the chewing locust, my great army which I sent among you. Take your mind off that marital crisis and focus on God who can bring peace into your home. Take your mind off the storms of life and focus on God, who can calm the storms of life. Remember the Prince of Peace, Jesus Christ of Nazareth, who rebukes the wind for the sake of His people.
Never allow your present difficulties to destroy your heart of gratitude. Never allow your present status overwhelm your life in depression. Do not focus on the storms around you; focus on the God who can calm the storm. Do not focus on the gross darkness around you, focus on God of light, the light that shines and no darkness can comprehend with.
In conclusion, remember this, what God cannot do does not exist. Be grateful to Him because whatever you are passing through now will end up in praise.