SMILE, JESUS LOVES YOU OR DON'T WORRY:BE HAPPY

I never much liked people telling me I should be happy. I don't even like it when someone snaps a photo and tells me to smile. I never liked the smiley face. But I'm not a grump.

Psalm 100 tells us to worship the Lord with gladness: we are His people. I have no problem doing that. I love being called His people or heir to the kingdom. I love being in worship service. As I've shared before, I just feel better when I'm at church. I feel as if my load has been lightened, and it has.

But Thessalonians 5:18 tells us "to be joyful always. Give thanks in all circumstances for this is God's will for you." Ok, I'm back again with making a choice I don't like.

But I'm wrong in my thinking that way. We must remember who is there with us, by us, yoked to us. And what He has done for us in the past. But sometimes that is so hard. Even when I think of God's faithfulness, of God's promises, I still have trouble overcoming loss. Of not focusing on what will not, cannot be.

A friend of mine last week lost his 35 year-old son to a sudden heart attack. He's a strong man of faith, and I'm so glad he is. If I know him, he's gone to scripture for comfort. I hope he turns to Psalm 100:5 "The Lord is good and His love endures forever." We must show reverence to God in all situations; not just when we want to feel good at church. We have to let God be God and know that we must focus on the future. We know He's in our corner and that He does no wrong.

And if that's as hard for you to do as it is for me. If you don't want to smile just because someone tells you to, then maybe we can take heart in a prayer that an English pastor prayed after disasters in his life. It went something like this,"Thank you Dear Lord that times like these don't last".

I pray that they go quickly for my friend Lou. His son will always live in his heart. Just like his God.