|
|
|
SPRING IS COMING!
|
|
Is it the few rays of sunshine that break through the clouds upon occasion? Is
it the let up of winter rains, and warming temperatures? Is it the increasing
length of days that gives us such joy? YES!
Spring is in the air. Surely one may cautiously cry “FOUL! Spring is months from
now!” My response to them? DEAL WITH IT! ?
|
Consider the glass half-full for a change. The groundhog’s shadow may have
declared another six to eight weeks of winter, but my days don’t rise and fall
with the groundhog! I have my own eyes and I’ve seen some recent sunshine!
Hey…we all need hope!
With joyful tongue-in-cheek I write this article for a very serious intent: HOPE
is a precious, too-often fleeting spirit that wraps you in arms that sustain,
strengthen, encourage, and empower. HOPE is a fragrant scent that gives buoyancy
to life. Without hope, people wilt under the turmoil and pressure that life
brings. Every day, we are bombarded with negative images, messages of unbelief,
striking blows of discouragement. BUT A GOOD WORD MAKES THE HEART GLAD.
|
Proverbs 12:25 (New King James Version):
|
Anxiety in the heart of man causes depression,
but a good word makes it glad.
|
Wouldn’t you rather be glad? Wouldn’t you rather sing than complain; smile than
frown; be encouraged rather than slump under the weight of oppression and
discouragement? “Of course,” you say, “But HOW do I get there?” May I suggest
one simple way? If you long for hope, then I encourage you to minister to others
the very spirit for which you desire: HOPE.
The Scripture tells us we reap what we sow. Do you sow a spirit of complaint and
criticism against others, or do you worship and bring LIFE? If you really want
to feel that the sun is rising rather than setting, take special joy in making
someone else glad. Take your eyes off of yourself and your weaknesses, and bring
someone else a good word of hope. Find someone to encourage. Tell someone about
the good things they do. Catch someone doing something RIGHT! Make that phone
call that you have delayed making--express love and support to someone who needs
it. Forgive the unlovely and unforgiving and let them control you no longer. Let
your own spirit out of prison by ministering HOPE to others.
The quickest way to have a “GLAD HEART” is to make the hearts of others glad.
Then, regardless of weather, you will enjoy the new life of SPRING! |
|
|
|
|