When the dark clouds gather round you and your hopes have fled away, who do you turn to, who really cares? When your head is bowed in sorrow and you feel your world crashing down, who do you turn to, who really cares? When your journey is dark and dreary and you’re down and almost out, who do you turn to, who really cares? When pain, sickness, and sorrow are laid upon you and you feel so weary and think that you won’t see another tomorrow, who do you turn to, who really cares? Who else is there but Jesus for He promises never to leave us. Matthew 28:20; Hebrew 13:5“So we may boldly say: “The Lord is my helper; I will not fear.”
Long before Waldo Emerson said, “There is a solution to every problem, and the soul’s highest duty is to be of good cheer.” Jesus shouted to His disciples in the midst of a frightening and terrifying storm, “Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid.” Matthew 14:27
Being of good cheer is not intended as a means to by-pass the problems we encounter in life but to be an aid in overcoming them. Instead of mulling over all the terrible things going on in the world, we need to cheer up and dwell on all the wonderful blessings we have. Instead of dwelling on the worst thing that ever happened, we need to cheer up and focus on all the joyful things that we have experienced. Instead of thinking about the negative factors of life, we need to cheer up and consider the grace, love and mercy that God has extended to all of us! “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.”John 3:16
In life the most important perception that we can have is the way we perceive God. The Bible begins by letting us know that God created us in His image and that He made everything orderly and good, so don’t be controlled by life’s misgivings, but remember, “This is our Father’s world!”
God has not promised skies always blue and flowered pathways our whole life through.
God has not promised the sun without rain, joy without sorrow, or peace without pain.
God has not promised that we would not know temptation, toil, trouble, and woe.
God has not promised that we shall not bear burden and carry heavy loads.
God has not promised smooth roads, easy to travel, and needing no guide.
God has not promised mountains without steep slopes and rivers without swift currents.
God has not promised many of the things that some advocate but what He has promised He we will keep and nothing will change that for “the Lord is not slack concerning His promises…” “And this is the promise that He has promised us – eternal life.” 1 John 2:25
“If you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.” Colossians 3:1-2
About the author:
Don and his wife Brenda have been married 48 years. They have two married sons Jason/Crista and Nicholas/Heather and four grandsons Luke, Ryker, Blake and Drew. Don is a graduate of the Gateway School of Preaching, Fairview Heights, IL, the Bristol Roads School of Biblical Studies, Flint, MI and he has a bachelor’s degree in religious education from Michigan Christian College. He has been preaching since 1979. He has preached at Pacific, MO; Howell, MI; Arnold, MO; Festus, MO; Dexter, MO; and De Soto, MO where he has served since 2007. He also serves the congregation as one of the elders. Don has done campaigns and meetings in several states and mission work in Cuba, India, and Jamaica. Don refers to himself as a “Minister” because he loves ministering to others and helping them learn about Jesus and growing in their relationship with Him.
De Soto church of Christ 