"C"heerfulness

Ever had one of those days where nothing is going the way you thought it would?  On those days most of us would rather stay in bed with the covers over our head and be grumpy.  Far too often our daily demands or the demands of the world cause us to get frustrated and sad rather than cheerful. But there is nothing worse than a Christian who is a grumpy.  Even on our worst days, we can still find joy.

This Easter was a tough one in our house.  One of my sweet friends went to be with Jesus.  It's hard to be cheerful about losing someone that you cared about.  It's hard to be full of joy knowing that that person will never walk the earth again and you weren't ready to say goodbye.  But Christ calls us to be joyful even in our worst moments. 

As children of God, we are blessed beyond what we deserve and yet we still find opportunities in our day to complain.  That is not what God wants from us.  Barbara Johnson once said, " Joy is a by-produce not of happy circumstances, education or talent, but of a healthy relationship with God and a determination to love Him no matter what". 

This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. Psalm 118:24

Why do we allow the circumstances of the moment or the outcome of our day to determine our joy, our cheerfulness?  "It's your choice: you can either count your blessings or recount your disappointments." (Jim Gallery)  I for one would rather spend time savoring the blessings that God has given me rather than spend anymore time on the disappointments of my day.

Have you lost your cheer for life?  Ask yourself why?  Why are you not able to see the blessings in your day?  What is holding you back from living a life full of cheerfulness and joy?  Make me hear joy and gladness.~ Psalm 51:8. 

A life full of cheerfulness starts with a joyful attitude.  Be thankful you have a new day to try again.  God desires us to have happy, joyful and cheerful lives.  He doesn't expect us to be happy all the time but he does expect us to keep our eyes focused on Him so that the joy He provides can consume us.  Once that joy takes hold of your heart, you can't possibly NOT be cheerful.  How amazing would it be if we all walked around with smiles on our faces ready to spread joy and cheer to all we see!?

A merry heart does good, like medicine. ~ Proverbs 17:22

Life throws us curveballs at every turn it seems.  I lost a dear friend but I have to trust God and His plan for Elizabeth's life.  I have to be filled with joy knowing that she is whole, healthy, and dancing with Jesus even as I type this.  Don't let the circumstances of your day control you and steal your joy.  Commit yourself to the Savior and trust Him.  He is able to transform our attitudes and fill us with joy, happiness and cheer. 

Heavenly Father, you give us some many reasons to celebrate.  Help me to be an ambassador of joy and cheerfulness.  Help me to be quick to smile and slow to anger so that You may be glorified through me.  Amen.