Psalm 118:24 reads, “This is the day which the Lord hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.” The writer of this Psalm understood that if he was going to be a happy person, he was going to have to encourage himself. Who knows what all this person was dealing with at that moment of his life? The day he penned these words may well have been the worst day of his life. His determination however was that he was not going to allow his circumstances to determine his outlook on life.
Only you can decide for you if you are going to be a positive and happy person. There is much in the world to worry and be sad about, but that does not mean that you have to live a sad or worried existence. Others may try to encourage you, but ultimately you are the one who has to make the determination that you are going to be happy.
Happy people are contagious. When you look around your congregation do you see happy people? If the congregation is bubbly and cheerful, it may well be that you are a bubbly and cheerful preacher. However, if they are discouraged and struggling to keep a smile on their face much of the time, you might take a long look at yourself in the mirror.
Enjoy life. Everybody does this differently. We all have different interests, hobbies and things that we enjoy doing. Whatever it is that causes you to enjoy life – do it! Don’t let someone else’s of expectations for you be what you do on your day off. Enjoy the life that God has given to you. If you enjoy golfing, take the time for it even if you are only pitching balls in your back yard. If you enjoy gardening, plant a flowerbed or vegetable garden that will put food on your family’s table. If you enjoy fishing, take your tackle box and drown a worm.
Allow others on your ministry staff to have their own hobbies and interests. If you are jealous of the time they spend doing what makes them happy, they will begin to resent what they do for God and the time you take for yourself. Encourage them to take a day off regularly.
When you enjoy life, it’s easier to be optimistic. Breathe the fresh air. Get some sunshine. Enjoy the precious life that your creator gave you. You might just become a more positive person because of it. Think positively. If you do, it will affect those you minister to.
