April 23, 2020 – Click here to listen
A friend of mine sent me a very funny Lewis Grizzard video yesterday stating that I was due for a laugh as I’ve had a lot on my mind lately. Grizzard was a hilariously funny southern comedian based out of Atlanta and he wrote a host of humorous books too. I enjoyed the video and laughed all of the way through it. My friend was right, I did need a laugh. I then went to You Tube and searched for funny videos and laughed so hard at them that tears streamed down my face. It was good medicine. If you are sick and tired of hearing the media’s dire reflections and watching politicians try to score points off our misery, you might give this a try.
The old adage that we can look at things from the viewpoint that the cup is half full or half empty comes to mind when coping with constant negatives. Foul moods and cynicism come from the cup being half empty philosophy. Optimism and good moods from the half full side. As an example many look at restrictions of attending live church as synonymous to death by a thousand cuts. We discussed this last night at our small group meeting conducted via zoom video conferencing. We were studying the day of Pentecost and the ensuing days after it and how people met in homes during that period of history and many were saved. We can still have a worship service whether or not it is in a grand building or at home. We can study the Bible, pray together, worship, and fellowship using technology that is readily available to us all.
So we can lament the suspension of live church or celebrate the ability to open church right in your home as this meme from the Jesus Alliance website declares.
The Bible has a remedy for the blues and the key to it lies within our own mind where most of spiritual warfare is fought. We can look on the bright side of things or dwell on the dark. We do have a choice. Satan wants to lure us to the dark, “woe is me,” side of things while God wants us to be encouraged and optimistic.
Years ago I got to know the father of one of my employees. He has long since passed away but I will always remember him for having a bright and sunny disposition no matter the situation. Even when he developed cancer and went through very painful chemo and surgery, he was just a delight to be around every time I ever talked to him. One day I asked him how he did it. I remarked I had never seen him in a dark mood no matter what was going on in his life. He replied that it all began in his bathroom when he prepared to shave and brush his teeth. He looked in the mirror and talked to himself saying, “you have a choice today to either be in a good mood or a cranky one. Now which do you prefer?” He always chose the good mood and it brightened everyone around him and I’m sure made him feel better.
We all need to look for the good things in life. A friend wrote this morning and remarked about a longtime friend who was the most generous person he knew who gives millions to worthwhile causes. Many don’t like him and run him down because he has some imperfections, but his heart is in the right place for so many needy people and I assume the criticism of his character flaws by a few self-righteous folks who don’t recognize they have flaws too, rolls off his back like water on a mallard duck’s back.
I guess what I’m saying is we are surrounded with evil and negative, but also of good. We are instructed to focus on the good and engage in thinking instead of reacting. The cliché, “every cloud has its silver lining” is true. We just need to look for the things that make us smile and avoid the negative. So turn off Fox news and give your television and mind a rest. Find something hilariously funny, study your Bible, call some Godly friends and fellowship, listen to some worship music, and most importantly think about the right things.
Phil. 4:8
Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable – if anything is excellent or praiseworthy – think about such things.