“A cheerful disposition is good for your health; gloom and doom leave you bone-tired.” (Luke 24:1-9 NASB)
As you read this Monday Short meditation, even though we are face the residue of the pandemic, the really disheartening increase of violence in the local community, the repulsive fighting on the political scene, as well, as a variety of other realities and real challenges that try to pull us down, my friend, cheer! You read the verse above, and you were reminded that a cheerful disposition is good for your health and “your health” that not only refers to your physical health, but your emotional and spiritual health as well.
Cheer up! Be of good cheer! You may be saying, “How do I do that?” Well, psychologist will tell you to focus on the positive things in your life. The old childhood song tells, “Let the sunshine in and face it with a grin.” (Of course, I would suggest changing “sunshine” to “Son-shine.)
Are you still saying, “How do I do that?” Well, one old saint would tell you, “Be glad that you are on this side of the ground.” Another old saint might tell you, “It’s another day’s journey and I’m glad about it, and you should be too!” A deacon friend of mine would tell you, “Rejoice, and stop depending on the happenings to make you happy.” A preacher may quote the scripture and reiterate the words of Jesus, “In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.
The word itself, other scriptures, you refer to will give you more advice when it comes to focusing on positive things. For instance, consider the admonition in the awesome verse below. Have a magnificent Monday, come what may! Let me be your cheerleader this morning! “Two bits, three bits, four bits a dollar! All for the Lord, stand up and holla!” What should you “holla?” How about, “Praise God from whom all blessings flow!” Realize that the Lord is blessing you right now! Cheer up! The Lord has not left you or forsaken you! Everything is going to be alright. Be blessed!
“And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.” (Philippians 4:8 NLT)
Still committed to the climb,
Mark L. King