In my communion time with the Holy Spirit this morning the Holy Spirit spoke to me today about the importance of choosing to be cheerful regardless of the situation you find yourself in. We need to make the choice to be cheerful and the Holy Spirit will then give us the grace to walk in it. This is the first thing we need to do: make the choice which means we commit to the way of the Lord.

“Now first of all no situation should determine how you respond and react to what happens because life events are never to be the determinants of your conduct.”

“Spiritual maturity is birthed when no natural event affects the way you respond in any given situation no matter its impact on you.”

The Holy Spirit reminded me of the Apostle Paul on his journey to Rome in the book of Acts.27 & 28. The circumstances Paul faced were not determined by Paul because, if Paul had the choice of events he would not have proceeded on that journey because his foreknowledge of the events coming through the Holy Spirit would have made him not travel at that time to save himself loss.

I am so thankful for the leading and guidance of the Holy Spirit in our affairs and circumstances in life.

Now as Paul did not choose the events which went on to happen we could say that if he was angry and responded rudely and abusive it would be justifiable because had he been listened to this level of trauma, hurt and loss they faced could have been avoided. Think of it fourteen days pitch black with no sun or moon or stars not knowing when day broke being tossed on the sea in a ship, with that level of wind.

No wonder the people concluded that any hope of making it out was lost and knew death was inevitable.

In that situation we find Paul still cheerful and bubbly, offering a solution to the devastating situation and giving hope that they will come out victorious with no loss of life, but only the ship. Then landed on an Island safely because he had a visitation from an angel of the Lord whom he served faithfully telling him what would go on to happen, even though nothing in the circumstances had changed yet.

Paul chose to remain cheerful and bubbly in that situation regardless of who caused it because his life was not dependent on what had happened but was hidden in Christ Jesus whom he served and only that relationship with Christ was going to affect his life. Since Jesus said Paul will live, that was going to happen and everything was going to line up with that reality.

As the Holy Spirit pointed out to me this morning we need to choose to be cheerful regardless because nothing can separate us from the love of God working for and in us.

“So we have no need to be depressed and worried and upset by anything because we have endless eternal life working on our behalf so we cannot but succeed because our Lord will bring us out triumphant and victorious.”

“Therefore today as you hear these words of truth, submit to the truth and lay down the lie and choose to be cheerful and bubbly again and allow the joy of the Lord to spring up in you afresh and come out of every threatening situation with an outburst of joy unspeakable full of glory.”

“Experience the awesome power of the Most High working for you.”

Rejoice in the Lord and again I say rejoice in the Lord and be consumed in His cheerfulness and say bye bye to sorrow and sighing and watch what the Holy Spirit will do on your behalf that will bring honor and glory to the name of Jesus.