Wednesday, June 1, 2011

Are Any Cheerful?

James 5:13-18
James puts it this way: “Are any [among you] cheerful? They should sing songs of praise” (James 5:13). I’ll admit that it’s not always easy, but one of the greatest gifts we can offer to the world is a cheerful disposition. Not a false, “smarmy” happiness, but a genuine sense of joy. If we can convey that message, if we can project that image, then we can lift the spirits of others and cure many ills.

But James is really telling us more than “be of good cheer.” He is also telling us to direct our joy toward God with songs of praise. It is not enough to be content. We should offer thanks for our contentedness. It is not enough to be well. We should offer thanks for our wellbeing. It is not enough to be in a good mood. We should offer thanks to God who is the ultimate source of our joy. Realizing where our joy originates helps us also to recognize that it is God “from whom all blessings flow,” that God alone can give us the peace that surpasses all understanding (Philippians 4:7).

Offering praise to God in times of joy can also keep us focused on the world and those in need, those who could use our cheerfulness and our encouragement as they go about their lives. I won’t pretend that I am always happy, but I will tell you that when I am, and when I accept that happiness as a gift from God, I am able to do so much more for others.

Prayer: Lord, grant us cheerfulness that we may praise you all the days of our lives. Amen.

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