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Puppies. Kittens. Laughing babies. These are the videos people are posting, and these are the posts I’m clicking on.

Why? Because I’m tired–we’re all tired—and we need a little encouragement.

The only trouble is, the brand of happy you get from clicking on quick pick-me-ups like these doesn’t last. Scroll a few more seconds—or live your own life just a little longer—and stark reminders that you live in a broken world will bombard your senses, unsettle your stomach, and send you in search of something else to lift your spirits.

Well, I’m here to give it to you, not a temporary fix, mind you, but a list of ten real and lasting reasons to smile.

Ready? Here you go.

1. Even though this world is messed up and little is as it should be, those who put their faith in Jesus Christ for salvation have peace with God (Rom 5:1)…

2. …And He works all things together for their good (Rom 8:28).

3. All this yuck will be over soon (Jas 4:14)…

4. …And when it’s over, a rich inheritance waits for those who belong to God (1 Pet 1:3-4).

5. In the meantime, the struggles we face give those who love God a chance to glorify Him (Matt 5:16)…

6. …And every day we live is an opportunity to tell those who don’t know God how they can be saved (2 Pet 3:9).

7. Thankfully, God is bigger than our mistakes, and even when we mess up, God’s purposes prevail (Eph 1:11).

8. Sooner or later, every person that ever lived will agree and acknowledge that the One we love most, Jesus Christ, is indeed Lord (Phil 2:9-11).

9. Everything that’s broken in this world will be fixed (2 Pet 3:13)…

10. …And those who belong to God will get the chance to enjoy it (2 Tim 2:11-12)!

Discouraged? Find real and lasting joy by fixing your eyes “not on what is seen, but what is unseen” (2 Cor 4:18). Find happiness in obeying Him (Ps 119:1-2).

This is all well and good for Christians, but what about everyone else?

If you’re feeling left out of this little pep talk, understand that Jesus died for your sin, too (John 3:16). If you put your faith in Him for salvation from the consequences of sin and make Him your boss, you will not only be saved (Rom 10:9-10), but permanently adopted as a full-fledged child of God (Gal 4:4-7), possessing all of the privileges, responsibilities, and spiritual siblings that come with that title. You will become a new creature (2 Cor 5:17), and God will begin the process of transforming you into the image of Jesus Christ by the power of the Holy Spirit as you follow and obey Him (2 Cor 3:18), guiding you, encouraging you, and loving you in ways you can’t possibly imagine until you’ve experienced it for yourself.

If that’s not a reason to smile, I don’t know what is!

Chin up, friends! “This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it” (Ps 118:24).