What are you going to be when you grow up?

A recent comic strip showed two young boys, one of whom made the observation, "I'm thinking about 
what I'm going to be when I grow up."  In the strip's next frame, the listening boy asked, "Have you 
decided?"  Following an affirmative response, the listener then asked, "Well, what are you gonna be?"  
In the last frame, the delightful response was "Happy!"

Don't you wish that everyone around you had made and kept that resolution somewhere in their 
past-the commitment to be happy?  It is sad to say but there are some people one just hates to see 
coming!  You just know there'll be another litany of complaints, some angry words, a bit of gossip, or 
a long list of life's woes.  How sad to waste one's life in a spirit of unhappiness.  That one makes 
himself unhappy, those around him unhappy, and most of all, he makes God unhappy!  Listen to what 
God's Word says:

Do everything without complaining or arguing.  (Philippians 2:14)

Live in harmony with one another.  (1 Peter 3:8)

Do not slander one another.  (James 4:11)

A gossip betrays a confidence; so avoid a man who talks too much.  (Proverbs 20:19)

Men will have to give account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have 
spoken.  (Matthew 12:36)

Then there are others who are such blessings.  You see them coming and you smile just in 
anticipation of the joy they bring.  I'm glad I know a lot of those.  The brother who hugs me and tells 
me how wonderful I am.  Another brother who daily encourages me in my ministry.  A sister who 
brings by a bit of baked goods just to say, "I appreciate what you do."   An aunt who always makes 
special effort to find something nice to say, even to strangers!  God talks about those people too.

A happy heart makes the face cheerful.  (Proverbs 15:13)

I know there is nothing better for a man than to be happy and do good.  (Ecclesiastes 
3:12

Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.  
(Proverbs 16:24)

A word aptly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver.  (Proverbs 25:11)

Encourage one another and build each other up.  (1 Thessalonians 5:11)

There may be many things that impact one's daily outlook, and there certainly are situations when 
sadness or even anger are natural and appropriate emotions.  For a Christian, however, those times 
and situations should not constrain the overall happiness and joy we have in Jesus Christ!  
What are you going to be when you grow up?