GOOD CHEER    

These things I have spoken

to you, that in Me you may

have peace.  In the world

you will have tribulation; 

but be of good cheer, I

have overcome the world.

John 16:33

It wasn't until my college days that I learned about being of good cheer.  I always thought such a statement was reserved for Christmas greetings.  The above verse somehow didn't dawn on me that the thing of good cheer is for every day of the year.

I had a friend who just about drove me crazy telling me more than I wanted to hear for me to be of good cheer.  I had left home to go to a distant Christian college where I knew no one.  I must say that I wouldn't have considered my life to be one of good cheer.  I wasn't real clear on what cheer even was.  The main use of that word only reminded me of friends who had been cheer-leaders in past school days.  During an athletic event, they were loud with the message of loyalty to our school and always had a huge smile.  I don't think I ever saw a cheerleader at a game with a frown on their faces.

Still, my friend often during a week would admonish me to be of good cheer.  The hint for him was that I wasn't (and still not) a big smiler.  That's a big indicator.  He meant well, but it wasn't the encouragement I needed.

Such encouragement eventually came my way as I became more acquainted with the above verse.  The cheer spoken of isn't a cheer where someone goes around giggling through their faith.  Cheer is something much more in depth...cheer has a source and that Source is Jesus.  With Jesus, cheer is more a deep happiness based on the peace we have in Him.

Jesus said Himself that the things He spoke had real purpose, one of those being a peace that goes far beyond understanding.  Through that peace, comes almost in a natural way, a spirit of cheer.  Jesus stressed our cheer based in Him would be good.  Entertainment may give us a brief time of happiness, but cheer for the Christian is meant to be ongoing despite the ups and downs of life.  That kind of cheer has only one source, that being Jesus Himself.  So dear friend, BE OF GOOD CHEER.

Father, You do work Your will in so many ways.  Something like cheer may seem like a small thing but all You do in our lives is BIG and with purpose.  Thank You for Your using and loving us, especially through Jesus, and in that precious name I pray....Amen