Dear beautiful soul,

There will be days when life feels heavy. The kind of days when you wake up tired, when the weight of your circumstances seems too much to carry, and joy feels like a distant memory. I have lived those days too. And it was in those moments that God gently reminded me: Happiness is not found in perfection. It is chosen, one breath at a time.

So often, we wait for the right circumstances to feel happy. We tell ourselves, “I’ll be happy when the pain is gone… when I’m healed… when things finally work out.” But true joy is not tied to conditions. It’s anchored in the One who never changes. Scripture reminds us in Philippians 4:4, “Rejoice in the Lord always.” Always. That means even when life feels unfair, when hearts ache, and when nothing seems to make sense.

Choosing happiness doesn’t mean ignoring your pain. It means trusting that even in the pain, God is working something beautiful within you. When I was walking through years of chronic illness and heartbreak, happiness felt impossible. But every day, I began speaking small truths over myself. I thanked God for little things: the sunlight through the window, the laughter of a friend, the strength to take one more step. Those moments became my stepping stones back to joy.

Friend, I want to encourage you to start small. Write down three things you’re thankful for today. Speak life into your day. Tell yourself, “God is with me, and I will not fall.” Happiness begins with what you allow your heart to focus on.

And don’t underestimate the power of giving. When you lift someone else, your spirit lifts too. A smile, a prayer, a kind word they all multiply joy. God wired us to find happiness in connection and compassion. Galatians 6:2 tells us, “Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.”

Happiness also grows in the soil of prayer. When you invite God into your emotions, He trades your anxiety for peace, your fear for courage, and your sorrow for strength. Prayer doesn’t always change your situation immediately, but it always changes your heart.

If today feels heavy, pause and whisper, “Thank You, Lord, for being here with me.” That one sentence can shift the atmosphere of your heart.

Happiness is not a finish line waiting at the end of your struggles. It’s a daily choice, a sacred rhythm of trust and gratitude. No matter what this day brings, you can choose peace. You can choose to believe that even now, God is working all things together for good.

You are not forgotten. You are not alone. You are loved beyond measure by a God who delights in your smile.

With love and light,
Tabatha Crook
Author of God Is Within Her, She Will Not Fall