A HEART OF CONTENTMENTExtra from Volume 10#2 by Allison N. |
As I was contemplating a cheerful heart this week, I reached for my topic Bible. However, when I found the word I was shocked—not one single verse was listed for "cheerful." I felt rather disappointed, until I read the words under the entry for cheerfulness: "see contentment." Suddenly the new idea made sense. It is hard to be cheerful when you are discontent. They are completely opposite. "A merry heart maketh a cheerful countenance." (Proverbs 15:13) A cheerful heart springs from a heart of joy. Noah Webster defines cheerfulness as "a state of moderate joy or gayety." Where do we get this joy? In Psalm 16:11, we learn that "in th presence is fullness of joy," and in Isaiah 61:10, Isaiah exclaims, "my soul shall be joyful in my God; for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation." If we are God's children, we can always have the joy of His salvation and presence. When we are joyful in God, we learn to be content with whatever our lives hold. Paul tells us the reason that we can be content in Hebrews 13:5-6: God will never leave us or forsake us. He will be our helper. We have no reason for fear to throw out pour joy. A cheerful heart is the result of a heart fully committed to contentment. Allison is a homeschool graduate, who seeks to glorify God in her writing. She enjoys many pursuits, including working with her family on their farm . |
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