ALWAYS CHEERFUL, ALWAYS CHEERFUL Are you always cheerful? Of course not! For one thing, the word always is an absolute that implies there is never, not even a second in your life, where you felt sad or discouraged and as human beings, that is impossible. By virtue of the nature of sin, there will be times of discouragement. A joyful heart makes a cheerful face, but with a heartache comes depression. (Proverbs 15:13 GW). But do we need to advertise our sorrow to those around us? If we are trying to show Jesus to others, is it right for us to walk around with long, sad faces to be noticed and encourage sympathy from our non-Christian, as well as Christian, friends? My husband had a habit he practiced for years... Knowing that everyone had their own problems, and not wanting to list the challenges he faced that day, whenever someone greeted him, good morning, how are you doing today? his answer was always, just wonderful! His thought was one of two things... either 1) the question was purely rhetorical and an honest answer was not desired or 2) they might be interested, but had enough of their own issues to deal with. Was he being disingenuous, pretending to be that which he wasnt? Or was he saving his concerns for those with whom he might find comfort or advice? Beverly Sills, a well-known American soprano singer, did not have an easy life, but she always projected an image of happiness. In an interview shortly before her death in 2007, a comment was made to her, You always seem so happy.” to which Beverly replied, “I am not always happy. But I always try to be cheerful.” Theres a difference, you see, between being happy with lifes circumstances and being cheerful despite those difficulties we all face from time to time! The song that God placed on my heart this morning, is a very old hymn by Fanny Crosby which was first published in hymnals in 1870 but hasnt found favor with hymnal publishers since about 1955. My personal opinion is that psychotherapy became more accepted around that time, and the idea of being always cheerful went against the trend toward being real with ones feelings! But being cheerful and experiencing trials that grieve us are not mutually exclusive. How we deal with difficult times in our lives is what sets the Christian apart from non-believers... Scripture says, In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. (1 Thessalonians 5:8 KJV). It doesnt say be thankful FOR everything, but to give thanks even as you pass through trials. The paraphrase, VOICE, tells us in James 1:2-4: Don’t run from tests and hardships, brothers and sisters. As difficult as they are, you will ultimately find joy in them; if you embrace them, your faith will blossom under pressure and teach you true patience as you endure. And true patience brought on by endurance will equip you to complete the long journey and cross the finish line—mature, complete, and wanting nothing. I hope you enjoy my Jeanne
Posted on: Sat, 17 Jan 2015 13:32:10 +0000
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