Be A Happy Person
by Ken Pierpont
Sometimes life is just hard. Our natural response when things are hard is to murmur and complain, to become solemn and go through life with a wrinkled forehead. We complain that there are children’s bikes in the driveway instead of rejoicing that there are children. We murmur about the menu instead of rejoicing that God has provided food. We gripe about little irritations and forget that a significant portion of the world’s children are without clean, safe drinking water.
One evening when I was a boy, our family was trying to adjust to an unfamiliar town, a troubled church, mild culture shock, and inadequate pay. We sat down to a meal and everyone could tell that Mom and Dad were under pressure. Things were quiet and tense. One of my little brothers reached for something without asking first and knocked over his drink. Instantly, Dad sprang back from the table, knocking the chair over and striding from the room.
The atmosphere was charged with tension, and we all sat and looked around in uncomfortable silence. No one spoke. We wondered if Dad would come back to eat. In a minute we heard noise, and then Dad showed up in the doorway. He was dressed in a full-length rain coat. We all burst into laughter. Dad sat down and we enjoyed a meal together, laughing and talking all at the same time.
Are you a solemn, sober, sullen person, or do you chose to rejoice when things are dark and difficult? Do you lift people’s sights to God and to good when things are hard?
I’m a follower of Jesus and one of the commands of Jesus is to rejoice in difficult times. If you devote yourself to obeying this command, God the Spirit will empower you to do it.
I’m ashamed of the times I failed to obey this delightful and powerful command. God forgive me for the times I have failed to be a happy man, to walk in the Spirit and have the joy of the fullness of the Spirit.
Chose to rejoice. People will want to be around you. They will be more likely to believe the good things you say about Jesus. It might even help lower your blood pressure.
Ken Pierpont
Bittersweet Farm
Summit Township, Michigan
October 21, 2018
Thank you for this reminder. To rejoice in all things; a difficult
Concept to follow. I have learned through God’s grace and the Spirit of His faithfulness we can find peace in the most difficult times.
Excellent advice. Well-written (as always). Thank you for this message.
Sound advice Pastor Ken ! I had a friend who has gone to be with the Lord for many years now.
He wisely taught me to ” Flip the coin ” Example; You are stuck in traffic because of an accident. Where you involved in the accident? No.. Do have plenty of gas to get home or where you need to be ? Yes… Will you eventually get there ? Yes… Then do you really have a problem ?? Your story also brought to mind the person who complained he had no shoes until he met someone without feet. May we all STOP … and be grateful for the little things !
Blessings !
Great example from your Dad!
Thanks for the comments Uni, Bob, Karen and Barb. Glad to know you are out there and that these little stories are a blessing to you and remind you of people and experiences in your own lives.