God Commands us to be Cheerful!

…In the world you'll have trouble. But cheer up! I have overcome the world. (John 16:33)

Christmas is supposed to be the most wonderful time of the year, but I will admit that with all the crazy news it’s hard to be merry and bright.  And honestly, many of us are facing personal problems that make it difficult to be holly jolly regardless.

How can God even write a verse like that in the Bible? How can we cheer up at a time like this? Doesn’t He realize how difficult life can be sometimes? Doesn’t He know we don’t all feel like laughing or decking the halls?

He does know, which is why He reminds us that this life sometimes means trouble.  But He immediately tells us to cheer up because there is no trouble too troubling, no sin too deep, no evil too mighty –  there is nothing this world can throw at us that can come anywhere even remotely close to being more powerful than our All-Powerful Lord.

Notice the verb tense in the verse.  He has already overcome the world. This is why God commands us to be confident, undaunted, and filled with joy; He has conquered and already gained a victory over all the mess.  

Joy to the world! We can have peace instead of worry. Trust instead of doubt. Hope instead of despair. Faith instead of unbelief. Love instead of misery and hate. Assurance and encouragement instead of fear.  And yes, dear ones, we can be cheerful!  Keep reading the preceding paragraph as often as it takes for you to get out of that bah humbug mood.

PRAYER: Dear Lord, Thank You for ordering us to be cheerful!  We certainly want to be filled with joy, and when we focus on all You have done for us, we are.  There will be moments when we forget all this great news, so remind us.  We want to keep our cheer and joy at a maximum! In Jesus’ name, AMEN!