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Be of Good Cheer
I. It is easy to look at the bad side of things
A. Some people seem to only see the bad side of things
1. No matter what happens, it has a dark side
2. These people seem to be only grumpy and miserable
3. Their only pleasure seems to be getting others to agree things are bad
B. It is easy to see the problems in life
1. At my brother's wedding, many things when wrong
a. His father-in-law tripped on the bridal trail
b. Grandma sat on the wrong row (on purpose)
2. But two people just joined their lives together! Something beautiful happened!
II. Depression happens to many people
A. Moses couldn't take the people's complaints any more - Num. 11:11-17
1. Solution: share the burden with others. Don't take on the responsibilities all by yourself.
B. Joshua after the defeat at Ai - Jos. 7:7-11
1. In our despair we often blame the wrong person
2. We don't see the situation clearly
C. Elijah after Jezebel threaten to kill him - I Kings 19:4,14
1. Solution: I Kings 19:15-17 - Get busy; there is work to do!
III. Cheerfulness is something you can learn
A. Read "The Deacon's Thanksgiving"
B. We need to think cheery thoughts. We need to find the good in every situation.
C. Pr. 15:13 - A cheery heart brings smiles. What is inside is reflected on the outside.
1. Smile now, don't wait for it to buble out
2. Smiles are "contagious" for others and yourself as well
3. If you want friends, you must be friendly - Pr. 18:24
D. Pr. 17:22 - A cheerful heart is good medicine. People tend to become ill when sad or nervous. People with a good outlook heal quicker.
E. Even our Lord instructed Paul to be of good cheer while in prison - Acts 23:11. Good was going to come from this bad situation.
F. Even in hard times, we have God on our side - Phil. 4:12-14
IV. Learn to look for the bright side
A. Remember the song "Count Your Many Blessings"
B. Ps. 68:19 - God loads us down with blessings everyday. Have you noticed the ones he gave you yesterday? Pay careful attention today!
C. Pr. 15:15 - A merry heart brings a continual feast
D. Of course, God expects something from us first - Mal. 3:8-12
Smile, brother, smile;
When you smile another smiles,
And soon there's miles and miles
Of smiles, and life's worth while
Because you smile;
So smile, brother, smile
- Author Unknown -
E. Keep always in mind Phil. 4:4-9
The Deacon's Thanksgiving
Old Deacon Bedell was the cheeriest man
You'd meet with in many a day;
He 'lowed that the Lord had a pretty good plan
For running the world, and he'd say:
"I'm thankful that things are about as they are -
They could be a mighty sight wuss;
An' the things we've complained of the loudest so far
Have proved to be blessin's to us."
When other lamented the drought, he'd reply:
"It's better than havin' a flood,
An' we ougth to thank God when the weather is dry
That we don't have to waller in mud!"
Yet, when it was stormy he'd never complain,
But say with immutable trust:
"The Lord in His goodness has sent us the rain
To lay this discomfortin' dust."
When adversity smote him, it fell like the dew
On a mountain's impervious crest,
For his simple philosophy held to the view
That everything worked for the best
And for other's misfortunes he always could find
Such sweet consolation to give,
It seemed that he envied the halt and the blind,
The lives they were destined to live.
One day he was caught in a threshing machine;
It cost him a leg, but he said:
"That's getting off cheaper than some I have seen,
I'm thankful it wasn't my head!"
And always thereafter he stumped on a peg,
Or patiently went with a crutch,
Declaring: "I'm saving a lot on that leg -
My socks only cost half as much."
When his end was approaching, he said with a smile,
As they folded his hands on his breast:
"I've worked pretty hard a considerable while,
And I'm thankful to get a good rest."
So, he went through the world strewing smiles on his way,
And the neighbors surviving him tell
That, no matter what happened, it seemed every day
Was Thanksgiving to Ezra Bedell.
- Author Unknown
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