Dearest friends, you were always so careful to follow my instructions when I was with you. And now that I am away you must be even more careful to put into action God's saving work in your lives, obeying God with deep reverence and fear. For God is working in you, giving you the desire to obey him and the power to do what pleases him. In everything you do, stay away from complaining and arguing, so that no one can speak a word of blame against you. You are to live clean, innocent lives as children of God in a dark world full of crooked and perverse people. Let your lives shine brightly before them. Hold tightly to the word of life, so that when Christ returns, I will be proud that I did not lose the race and that my work was not useless. But even if my life is to be poured out like a drink offering to complete the sacrifice of your faithful service (that is, if I am to die for you), I will rejoice, and I want to share my joy with all of you. And you should be happy about this and rejoice with me. (Philippians 2:12-18 NLT).

Viktor Frankl (1905-1997) said, “Everything can be taken from a man but one thing: To choose one's attitude in any given set of circumstances, to choose one's way.”

Perhaps the name Frankl doesn’t mean anything to you, and therefore the opening quote doesn’t quite seem as powerful as it ought. In September of 1942, a young doctor, his new bride, his mother, father, and brother, were arrested in Vienna and taken to a concentration camp in Bohemia.  It was events that occurred there and at three other camps that led the young doctor, prisoner #119,104, to realize the significance of meaningfulness in life. One of the earliest events to drive home the point was the loss of a manuscript, his life's work, during his transfer to Auschwitz.  He had sewn it into the lining of his coat, but was forced to discard it at the last minute.  He spent many later nights trying to reconstruct it, first in his mind, then on slips of stolen paper. Another significant moment came while on a predawn march to work on laying railroad tracks:  Another prisoner wondered aloud about the fate of their wives.  The young doctor began to think about his own wife, and realized that she was present within him. And throughout his ordeal, he could not help but see that, among those given a chance for survival, it was those who held on to a vision of the future, whether it be a significant task before them, or a return to their loved ones, that were most likely to survive their suffering. It would be, in fact, the meaningfulness that could be found in suffering itself that would most impress him. That young doctor was, of course, Viktor Emil Frankl.

Attitude! The strength of character to choose one’s own way! These are the ingredients to happiness and joy. Peace of mind does not come from our circumstances or environment. Joy, peace, and happiness come from our choice of reaction to these stimuli. Life simply is not often “fair.” However, God is always faithful and true to his promises. So, choose to be happy and rejoice!