It’s Time for Cheers, Not Tears!
Some years ago I found myself at the office of a pastor in whose pulpit I was to preach that day. As I looked at his walls and book shelves, my attention was caught by a little plaque which proclaimed, “I refuse to have a bad day!” Although that is much easier said than done, I was impressed by the message which I promptly copied, so as not to forget it.
Since that time I have remembered those words quite often, having repeated them to myself and others in numerous occasions. After all, we all know that “happiness is a choice” and that each of us must be in control of how we are to react to whatever befalls us, of good or of ill. And because God remains in control of our lives, we can truly refuse to have a bad day; we can allow His joy ever to dominate ourselves and to be our strength.
Scripture emphasizes the place which joy must occupy in our lives. Although it announces that in the world we shall have tribulation, and that the results of sin are ever present among humans, it also challenges the Christian to look at every situation from a divine perspective; to be as positive as we can in the midst of negativity and difficulty; to move on throughout life with uplifted head, regardness of what may be happening to us, rather than in a posture which only defeated people would project.
Years ago, while visiting an elderly Christian lady at a hospital, I found her weeping profusely, as if God had no more beautiful surprises with which to flood her life. It was at that moment when I sought to encourage her by saying, “It’s time for cheers, not tears!” Although tears are a mechanism which God Himself provides for the venting of our fears and frustrations, sorrow and grief, we need not remain in that valley continuously. In spite of any situation which may legitimately cause some tears, we may choose cheer instead. In such posture we may more readily acknowledge what God is doing in us and for us, thus opening ourselves more fully to appropriate His comfort and consolation.
Counting our blessings is imperative if we are to transform tears into cheers. By nature we show the proclivity to ignore God’s past faithfulness; Christians in general are often affected by spiritual amnesia whereby they quickly forget His manifold benefits; to many, unfortunately, it may be said, “Your God is Too Small” (to use J.B. Phillips’ thesis in his book by that title).
As we live under the Sovereignty of God and operate under the Lordship of Christ, we need not fear where He may be leading us. As the late G. Campbell Morgan commented, “Every step He takes us, every word He speaks to us, every testing He permits us, contributes something toward the development and progress of all. Joseph sold into slavery, David exiled from his kingdom, Job crouching under the whirlwind, Paul bearing the buffeting of Satan’s messenger, all are examples.”
You may look ahead with hope, always expecting new blessings from God, while removing any hindrance which might prevent His best from coming to you. Like the saying on the plaque mentioned above, you may also succeed in refusing to have a bad day since every day with Jesus is sweeter than the day before.
January 25th, 2007 at 1:38 pm
Thank you so much, Synesio, for taking the time to share this powerful message. I will look forward to future articles. I have your web site on my Favorites.