Cheer up

Sometimes when you’ve had a bad day, someone will come along and try to make you feel better by telling you to, “cheer up, things could be worse”. I once heard a humorous version of that old saying: “cheer up, things could be worse, I cheered up and sure enough, things got worse.” Another one is: “I thought there was light at the end of the tunnel, but it turned out to be a freight train!”

Life in secular society today seems to have reached an all time high in the level and content of despair and hopelessness. Folks seem to like discussing how bad things have gotten lately. I have heard this same rhetoric lately among some Christians, also. After I hear such negative discussions, I never really feel any better about things and usually feel like someone has just let the air out of my balloon, so to speak. I used to notice when I was a young and enthusiastic airline pilot that the seasoned veteran pilots used to complain about the smallest things. I would laugh (to myself), because when I was flying in the military, I saw many more reasons to complain about flying and living conditions and yet no one complained as much.

Conversely, there are some folks out there who don’t seem to be bothered by anything. They always have a genuine smile on their face, and in their heart. Of course, many are skeptical of such people, because they don’t believe it is genuine or they are unaware that Christ dwelling in a human heart can produce such a result. This past Sunday, Father Alan Hansen began his sermon by reminding us that as Christians we are NOT to act like, speak like, or behave like the unbelieving world. Now, before you go and say that this is extreme in nature, let us examine why this is important. For one thing, if you aren’t any different than the unbelievers out there, what do you have to offer them in the way of the Gospel? If they don’t see the love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, and temperance in you, then why would they want "your Christianity"? Scriptures speak over and over of the change in nature that occurs through salvation in Jesus Christ. If that change is evident to the unbeliever, it becomes part of your witness to the world, doesn’t it? Then, as Paul says: be ready to give a reason for the hope that is within you.

So.. yes, times are tough. Absolutely. I submit however, that they have always been tough. There is so very much to be encouraged about today, however. First, and foremost, if Jesus Christ is the Savior and Lord of your life, He has made it abundantly clear that these adverse circumstances are going to occur in your life. That is a certainty. But, He promises that: 1) He went through trials and persecutions (the likes of which we will never fully comprehend). So He knows what it is like. 2) You are never going to have to face them alone. Jesus said I will never forsake you or leave you. That is a promise. During His last supper with His disciples, Jesus had just finished telling the disciples that they were going to be facing trials and persecutions soon. Then He told them this:
“These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.”

In today’s venacular, Jesus told His disciples, I know what it is going to be like for you, but in me you will be able to find peace, so be of good cheer. It is going to be ok. A local preacher put it this way: there are two things you need to remember about the outcome of all things: 1) God’s team wins 2) Jesus is coming back one day and He is going to straighten this mess out. (Simply, but effectively stated).

If you are reading this today and Jesus Christ is not your Savior or you are not sure that He is, did you know that He can be? The Bible says that:
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”

Simply, pray to Him and ask Him to come into your life today, asking Him to forgive you of your sins, and confessing Him as your Savior and Lord. Believe in your heart that He died for you, and then rose from the grave to save you, as stated in Romans 10:9:
“That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved”.

You can have confidence that if you sincerely do this you are now saved by grace through faith; it is the gift of God. Now, as a "born again" child of God, develop a consistent and abiding prayer life. Read the Bible regularly; I suggest beginning with the Gospel of John to give you a good foundation of who Jesus is and what He is all about. If you are not in a Bible and Gospel believing/teaching Church, then visit some churches in your area and pray for the Lord to guide you to one that is passionate and faithful in their worship and discipleship of Jesus Christ. Then, share your story and the love, joy, and peace that Christ places in your heart, so others will come to know Him.

And remember….as Jesus said “cheer up”, (for)“I am with you always, even until the end of the world”

Psalm 94:18-19 :(English Standard Version)
"When I thought, My foot slips, your steadfast love, O LORD,held me up.
When the cares of my heart are many, your consolations cheer my soul."



Have a Blessed Day,
George