⁸I know the Lord is always with me. I will not be shaken, for he is right beside me. ⁹No wonder my heart is glad, and I rejoice. My body rests in safety.

Psalm 16:8-9

I am grateful for the continual presence of God by my side. He is always with me, teaching me, protecting me, changing me.

Recently, I notice that I hesitate to “show my joy.” In an effort to be sensitive to the difficulty of life right now, I feel obligated to temper my enthusiasm. And then I read this psalm.

These words were an “ah-ha” moment for me. I have had to develop strategies to ward off gloom and depression. Strategies such as daily meditation, deep breathing, exercise, monitoring what I eat, drink, watch and read; rehearsing truth, avoiding negative thinking, regular pauses in my day to recenter my thinking on Christ alone.

These strategies enable me to be aware of Christ’s presence, that I am not alone, that he is my safety and at my right hand. They remind me the Lord is aware of me and my situation. When I do that, my heart is glad. I no longer feel alone or forgotten. I rejoice in even the darkest days.

It seems there are three ways we can approach life: with anger, apathy (Eeyore), or acceptance. As often as possible, I am choosing joy and acceptance. I choose to believe that these are good days, that God is in them, that he is doing good things in my life and in those around me. He is in control of everything and nothing can separate me from his love. His plan for me is for blessing and not harm.

What strategies help you to keep your heart at peace? What needs to change? How are you approaching daily life? Anger? Apathy? Acceptance?