The Happy File
By Luann Prater
But may the righteous be glad and rejoice before God; may they be happy and joyful. Psalm 68:3
It wasn’t what some would call a perfect day, but to her it was special. We had spent the day together just hanging out around the house. Simple things like lunch on the deck; soaking in the sunshine; and giggling over funny memories traced the outlines of our shared moments. That’s when she whispered a few words as if she were telling herself a secret, “This day is going in my Happy File.”
She explained her Happy File was a record kept of God’s simple blessings. Those moments in time that beam with a little extra spark. You know the ones. When no one else would get it, but whenever you recall it… you smile. Her collection was spilling over the top.
Often we choose to hang on to the bad memories. We relive the abuse. We replay piercing words. We carry the guilt and hold on to the shame. We forget the promise of Romans 8:1, “Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” No condemnation. Period, nada, zip, none!
She found the Happy File very helpful when darkness came creeping into her life. Satan loves to fill our minds with negative thoughts and trip us up with stumbling blocks. A stash of happiness works like a flashlight in the middle of the night. The evil one can cloud our world with gloom, but when we open the file that holds God’s blessings, the shadows are shattered.
So what are you choosing to keep on file? Here is the deal. Start a collection of Happy Files! God’s fingerprints are all over each day. Look for them! Record them! Recall them!
Next, pull out those old musty files that have collected guilty dust and shameful mildew. One by one as they come to your mind, plunge them into God’s thought shredder, 2 Corinthians 10:5, “Take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.” When you say this verse out loud something amazing happens! The thoughts go away! God longs to give you freedom from guilt and shame and worry and anything that hinders your ability to be joyful.
When you accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, you can begin daily to rid your mind of the garbage satan has dumped on you and replace it with Happy Files. Then you truly can BE JOYFUL ALWAYS (1 Thessalonians 5:16).
Get a package of index cards that are spiral bound. Begin to record God moments on them. Keep the Happy File where you can easily grab it in case of unexpected darkness. What gloom are you allowing to hang over you? How can you walk in the light of God’s promise every day? Are you resistant to let go of the past? Let. It. Go.
Father, thank You for forgiving us from every sin we have ever committed and thank You for keeping Your promise never to condemn us for them! Help us each day to choose to live in the freedom of Your promise and to be joyful always. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
For more encouragement, visit Luann at luannprater.com.
© 2020 by Luann Prater. All rights reserved.
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Originally published Friday, 12 June 2020.
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