Life is full of challenges. A loved one dies. We fail the test. We lose the job. The hospital bill needs to be paid. The school fees are due. There’s no rain. There’s too much rain.
How will we respond to these trials? What will be our attitude? Will anything cheer us up? Will our faith in Jesus make any difference?
Jesus brought a “Be of good cheer (cheer up)” into three situations in the gospels. In each of the following stories, Jesus has us look beyond the circumstances, beyond the physical to the spiritual truth.
1) “Be of good cheer. Your sins are forgiven” (Matt. 9:1-2).
Jesus said this to a paralyzed man. At first, it seems rather cruel of Jesus to say, “Cheer up, son. You may not be able to walk, but you’re alive.” The young man’s response might have been, “Well, thanks, but I’d really like to be able to walk.”
We know that Jesus is proving a point to the religious leaders around Him, but He’s not using this young man to prove a point. Jesus is saying something profound to the young man: “There is a reality much deeper and just as real as what we see and touch and feel here in the physical. Your value goes beyond your body and the things of this world. Something needs to happen that you should crave and rejoice in more than physical healing. It is the healing of your soul.”
Temptation to rob us of joy: Our temptation is to see this life as all there is.
Key to releasing joy: We need to keep an eternal perspective always before us. Through faith in Jesus, our sins are forgiven. We can rejoice that our relationship with the Heavenly Father is restored. Remember to value this gift God has given us. Think about it often.
2) “Be of good cheer. It is I; do not be afraid” (Mk. 6:50).
Jesus had sent his disciples across the sea while He stayed behind to pray. While they were going, a strong storm came up. The disciples were rowing hard (v 48); the wind was against them, and Jesus saw them struggling. He walked across the water. When they saw him they cried out in terror for they thought he was a ghost. He said, “Be of good cheer. It is I; do not be afraid.” When He climbed into the boat with them, the storm ceased.
Temptation to rob us of joy: Our temptation is to feel that we are all alone, to feel discouraged because we’ve been working so hard and see no results. We feel like we are not getting anywhere, and Jesus is the one who told us to go this way!
Key to releasing joy: Realize that He, Jesus, is enough
One day, my husband returned from a three-day bush trip. He was sick. It was hot. The children were grumpy. I was going out to the backyard to dump guava peels on the compost pile. As I went I said, “Lord, I’m really trying to think of something to be thankful for. Lord, really, what is there I can be thankful for?” I felt Him reply, “You can be thankful for me.”
I used to think that God is important in my life until I learned that He is enough. Let us choose to enjoy God’s presence in our lives.
3) “Be of good cheer, I have overcome the world” (Jn.16:33).
In this situation, Jesus is explaining to his disciples that He is to be crucified, that He will be leaving them, and that they will scatter to their own homes, returning to what is familiar. He comforts them by saying, “Cheer up! I have overcome the world.”
Temptation to rob us of joy: When troubles come, our temptation is to withdraw, to get away, and to go back to what is familiar or comfortable.
Key to releasing joy: Jesus says to us, “Push through. Keep going. KNOW that I am the ruler of this world.”
May we resist the temptations that would rob us of joy and by faith take those steps that will release His joy into our lives.
