Written by J.R. Miller (source of article)
I pray this article will convict and challenge, shame and inspire you as it did me. How I love and admire cheerful people. Simply with a heartfelt smile, merely with joy shining in their eyes, they can bless and encourage my heart. Before reading these sagacious words, I was of the mindset that a perpetually cheerful disposition is just naturally born to a fortunate few. This understanding was very wrong! We are told to daily be renewed in the spirit of our mind (Rom. 12:2, Eph. 4:24). Our thinking, thwarted by the flesh, must be molded continually by the Word of God. "For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day." (2 Cor. 4:6)
Refusing to be cheerful is, quite simply, selfishness. Somehow we think we have a right to be unhappy and downcast, and in a way we'd rather abide in that gloomy, grumpy frame of mind. In such times, we need die to self. We need to get our eyes on others, particularly our families. We need to seek to be a blessing in our homes by being cheerful, loving, kind, and helpful, going out of our way to meet needs--to just be sweet! Cheerfulness isn't far off. Mark Twain said, "The best way to cheer yourself up is to cheer up someone else."
Yet, sometimes when we do manage to get our eyes off ourselves and onto others, all we behold are their faults and their own lack of cheerfulness. "Well, they're not being cheerful; why should I be?" We've forgotten one essential thing of the utmost importance. We must put the Lord Jesus first, even before others, far above anything. Before we can obtain this glad cheer and, in turn, share it with others, He must bestow it unto us. So simple, and yet so difficultly trying, is the achievement of the success we so desperately strive and long for. But it's not beyond reach--no, indeed! The admired trait of cheerfulness is truly within our grasp. "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me." (Phil. 4:13) "Whatever He demands or whatever He delights in from you ought to be responded to favorably. All that He wants should be forthcoming from you. Just do it!" - Evangelist Tim Green
Some who read this may, at present, be bearing pressing loads. It is true that in the world we shall have tribulation. Christ our Lord assured us it would be so, but He also said that we should be of good cheer for, praise God, He has overcome the world! "And this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith." (I John 5:4b) Below, J.R. Miller says, "It would have been of no avail, however, merely to command them to be of good cheer, if he had not put sources of joy within their reach. ... The secret of joy which Christ gives we learn from his own words." We can possess untold joy amid any trouble, however it may attempt to distress and dishearten us. "These words have I spoken unto you that in me ye might have peace." The God of all comfort surely has enough for you! "Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God." (II Cor. 1:3-4)
Indeed, I pray this will be a blessing to you. It so encouraged me. Open your heart, renew your mind, let the Holy Spirit conform you to the image of our wonderful Lord Jesus Christ!
We are set in this world to be happy. We should not falter in our great task of happiness, nor move ever among our fellows with shadows on our face when we ought to have sunlight.
We have a mission to others--to add to their cheer. This we cannot do unless we have first learned the lesson of cheerfulness ourselves. We cannot teach what we do not know. We cannot give what we do not have.
In this little book a lesson is set for you, my reader. It may seem a hard lesson to learn; nevertheless, it is one you want to learn, and one you can learn, if you will surrender your life wholly to the great Teacher.
There are many ways in which we may bless others. A ministry of helpfulness is a perpetual benediction. Of course, one who feeds the hungry, visits and relieves the sick, the poor, and the orphan, and comforts sorrow, is a blessing to the world. One who uses his money to do good is a blessing. One who speaks wholesome words which enter other lives, and influence, guide, strengthen, inspire, or enrich them, blesses the race.
But can one be a blessing merely by being cheerful? Yes; moral beauty of any kind exerts a silent influence for good. It is like a sweet flower by the wayside, which has a benediction for everyone who passes by. A legend tells how one day in Galilee the useful corn spurned the lilies because they fed no one’s hunger. “One cannot earn a living just by being sweet,” said the proud cereal. The lilies said nothing in reply, only seemed the sweeter, then the Master came that way; and while his disciples rested at his feet, and the rustling corn invited them to eat, he said, “Children, the life is more than meat. Consider the lilies, how beautiful they grow.” It certainly seemed worthwhile then just to be sweet, for it pleased the Master.
I pray this article will convict and challenge, shame and inspire you as it did me. How I love and admire cheerful people. Simply with a heartfelt smile, merely with joy shining in their eyes, they can bless and encourage my heart. Before reading these sagacious words, I was of the mindset that a perpetually cheerful disposition is just naturally born to a fortunate few. This understanding was very wrong! We are told to daily be renewed in the spirit of our mind (Rom. 12:2, Eph. 4:24). Our thinking, thwarted by the flesh, must be molded continually by the Word of God. "For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day." (2 Cor. 4:6)
Refusing to be cheerful is, quite simply, selfishness. Somehow we think we have a right to be unhappy and downcast, and in a way we'd rather abide in that gloomy, grumpy frame of mind. In such times, we need die to self. We need to get our eyes on others, particularly our families. We need to seek to be a blessing in our homes by being cheerful, loving, kind, and helpful, going out of our way to meet needs--to just be sweet! Cheerfulness isn't far off. Mark Twain said, "The best way to cheer yourself up is to cheer up someone else."
Yet, sometimes when we do manage to get our eyes off ourselves and onto others, all we behold are their faults and their own lack of cheerfulness. "Well, they're not being cheerful; why should I be?" We've forgotten one essential thing of the utmost importance. We must put the Lord Jesus first, even before others, far above anything. Before we can obtain this glad cheer and, in turn, share it with others, He must bestow it unto us. So simple, and yet so difficultly trying, is the achievement of the success we so desperately strive and long for. But it's not beyond reach--no, indeed! The admired trait of cheerfulness is truly within our grasp. "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me." (Phil. 4:13) "Whatever He demands or whatever He delights in from you ought to be responded to favorably. All that He wants should be forthcoming from you. Just do it!" - Evangelist Tim Green
Some who read this may, at present, be bearing pressing loads. It is true that in the world we shall have tribulation. Christ our Lord assured us it would be so, but He also said that we should be of good cheer for, praise God, He has overcome the world! "And this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith." (I John 5:4b) Below, J.R. Miller says, "It would have been of no avail, however, merely to command them to be of good cheer, if he had not put sources of joy within their reach. ... The secret of joy which Christ gives we learn from his own words." We can possess untold joy amid any trouble, however it may attempt to distress and dishearten us. "These words have I spoken unto you that in me ye might have peace." The God of all comfort surely has enough for you! "Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God." (II Cor. 1:3-4)
Indeed, I pray this will be a blessing to you. It so encouraged me. Open your heart, renew your mind, let the Holy Spirit conform you to the image of our wonderful Lord Jesus Christ!
Introduction
We are set in this world to be happy. We should not falter in our great task of happiness, nor move ever among our fellows with shadows on our face when we ought to have sunlight.We have a mission to others--to add to their cheer. This we cannot do unless we have first learned the lesson of cheerfulness ourselves. We cannot teach what we do not know. We cannot give what we do not have.
In this little book a lesson is set for you, my reader. It may seem a hard lesson to learn; nevertheless, it is one you want to learn, and one you can learn, if you will surrender your life wholly to the great Teacher.
There are many ways in which we may bless others. A ministry of helpfulness is a perpetual benediction. Of course, one who feeds the hungry, visits and relieves the sick, the poor, and the orphan, and comforts sorrow, is a blessing to the world. One who uses his money to do good is a blessing. One who speaks wholesome words which enter other lives, and influence, guide, strengthen, inspire, or enrich them, blesses the race.
But can one be a blessing merely by being cheerful? Yes; moral beauty of any kind exerts a silent influence for good. It is like a sweet flower by the wayside, which has a benediction for everyone who passes by. A legend tells how one day in Galilee the useful corn spurned the lilies because they fed no one’s hunger. “One cannot earn a living just by being sweet,” said the proud cereal. The lilies said nothing in reply, only seemed the sweeter, then the Master came that way; and while his disciples rested at his feet, and the rustling corn invited them to eat, he said, “Children, the life is more than meat. Consider the lilies, how beautiful they grow.” It certainly seemed worthwhile then just to be sweet, for it pleased the Master.
