Proverbs 15:13
A merry heart makes a cheerful countenance, but by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken.
A few moments ago there was a news report from London that Queen Elizabeth had just spoken to her husband, Prince Phillip, who has been hospitalized with a bladder infection. The Queen reported that her husband was cheerful . . . but grumbling.
It seems I have encountered people like that—unfortunately many of these grumblers were born again believers. Out of curiosity, I just looked up the Hebrew meaning for the word CHEERFUL; it is the word yatab and means: to be good, be pleasing, be well, be glad.
I have a hard time equating cheerful and grumbling in the same context. To me we are either grumblers or grinners (I hope that is a word). Anyway, I think you get the idea. People that are prone to grumble only make themselves more miserable, and it is challenging to be around them without feeling like a weight has been placed across your shoulders.
Those who are consistently cheerful make the world a happier place, and their joy contributes to the healing of their bodies. Their cheerfulness is also a blessing to those who come in contact with them. I pray that we all will accept the challenge to stop the grumbling and allow the joy of the Lord to shine brightly in our heart and out to others!
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!
—Pastor Cecil