Let it Shine, Let it Shine, Let it Shine

People often tell me I’m a positive person. It’s something I hear a lot from friends, family, and coworkers. They compliment my upbeat attitude, my smile, and the way I try to make the best out of every situation. That compliment always catches me off guard, because if you could peek inside my head, you’d see a different story. Inside, I’m as cynical as they come. Doubt, fear, and anxiety can be my constant companions. But here’s the thing: joy comes from the Lord, and I believe that with all my heart. And I want His light to shine through me, even when the shadows in my mind try to crowd it out.

I’ve learned that positivity isn’t just a personality trait—it’s something you have to work at. It’s not like some people are just naturally cheery all the time while the rest of us are stuck being pessimists. For me, choosing to be positive is a daily decision, an effort that sometimes feels like pushing a boulder up a hill. It’s not that my smiles are fake. It’s that they come from a deeper place, from a choice to let my joy rise above the struggles I carry.

When I say I’ve got the “joy, joy, joy, joy down in my heart,” I mean it. It’s there, even on the tough days, but bringing it to the surface takes some serious effort. It’s like trying to keep a beach ball afloat in a pool full of doubts and fears—it wants to sink, but I keep pushing it back up. And some days, that’s easier than others.

But I’ve come to realize how powerful that choice can be—not just for me, but for those around me. It’s amazing what a simple smile can do for someone’s day. I’ve seen how just a little bit of kindness or a small gesture can turn things around, even if it’s just for a moment. And more often than not, when I make the choice to smile, to offer that encouragement, it ends up changing my own mood too. It’s a reminder that even on days when I feel like I’ve got nothing left to give, God’s joy can overflow and touch others.

That doesn’t mean the doubts or the struggles disappear. I still have my share of days when the weight of anxiety feels heavier than usual. But I try to hold onto the truth that joy isn’t the same thing as a fleeting emotion. It’s something deeper, rooted in knowing that God is with me in every high and low. It’s knowing that even when I feel like I’m just going through the motions, He sees my heart and the effort I’m putting in.

So if you see me with a smile on my face, know that it’s real, but it’s also hard-won. It’s not about pretending that everything is perfect, but about trusting that God’s light is stronger than my darkest thoughts. It’s about choosing to let His joy shine through, even when my inner cynic tries to convince me that it’s all pointless. And it’s about hoping that maybe, just maybe, a little bit of that light can brighten someone else’s day too.

Positivity isn’t effortless, but it’s worth the effort. And I pray that with each day, I’ll get better at letting God’s joy shine through the cracks, making the light a little brighter for those around me.