When was the last time you celebrated a victory? Any victory. Maybe it was last weekend during the Super Bowl. Maybe it was last month when your friend finally got a new job, or your mom received a good report from the doctor.

Now a harder question: When was the last time you celebrated something for yourself?

For some of us, it’s been so long we can’t remember. We can go to parties or events to celebrate special occasions, but we often go through everyday life without feeling like we have much to celebrate.

Our lives are lacking daily jubilee. We don’t experience the thrill of victory––victory that brings a joy-filled life. Why? Because we live disappointed. We’re longing for something different.

I once heard a speaker say that there’s a formula for disappointment:

Disappointment = Expectations – Reality

The level of our disappointment in life increases as our reality falls short of where we think we should be. And sometimes what life throws at us feels like too much to bear. So we don’t celebrate. It’s not easy to muster laughter and rejoicing in the midst of our hard circumstances. But here’s the good news: We have the power to take a step toward joyful life each day. How?

By celebrating small victories.

Even if a cloud of uncertainly looms. Even if our circumstances don’t change. Even if we feel like we don’t have anyone to celebrate with us. If we will pause and stop focusing on where we wish we were in life, or who’s shoes we’d rather walk in, or what we should have done… we’ll be making a giant leap forward toward a life of daily celebration and joy.

When we make a choice to celebrate––to humbly accept the small victories of today and rejoice in them––we’re building a foundation of contentment and excitement that can soon become a fortress against the trials of our real life.

So today, no matter where you are, no matter what your circumstances, find one small victory to celebrate. Share it with others! And celebrate it with the Lord! Offer it to Him in praise. Smile and genuinely rejoice in your celebration. Authentic praise not only lifts our spirit, it also brings joy to the Lord.

A few days in a row celebrating small victories lifts every spirit. May our celebrations begin today.

“I will sacrifice a freewill offering to You; I will praise Your name, O LORD, for it is good.” Psalm 54:6

May I pray?

Heavenly Father, thank You for Your unfailing love for us. Thank You for always having open arms when we come to You. Today I lift up those who are struggling with finding a reason to celebrate. Lord, I pray that You will help them choose one thing to genuinely celebrate today. And I pray that You will shower them with Your peace and Your joy as You celebrate with them. May each of us take a giant leap toward joy-filled life as we build a new foundation of praise in small victories. Amen.

Q4U: What small victory will you celebrate today?