Choosing Happiness

“I wish that I had let myself be happier” is one of the regrets reported by Bonnie Ware in serving patients near the end of their lives. She goes on to say that “Many did not realise until the end that happiness is a choice.”

Here is my question. Is this true from a Christian perspective? Can we choose happiness? I have been thinking about this, and here are some scriptures that have come to mind.

“I have set the Lord always before me; because he is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken. Therefore my heart is glad, and my whole being rejoices.” Psalm 16: 7-8

“Cast your burden on the Lord, and he will sustain you.” Psalm 55:22

“Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me.” John 14:1

“In all our affliction, I am overflowing with joy.” 2 Corinthians 7:4

“Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice.” Phil 4:4

These scriptures come in the form of commands and mechanisms to accomplish gladness or rejoicing by keeping the Lord before us and casting our burdens on him even during affliction

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