| The Ministry of Comfort |
Chapter 19 |
Page 5 |
A great man used to say that the habit of cheerfulness was worth ten thousand pound a year. This is true not only in a financial way – it is true of one’s own enjoyment of life and also of the worth of one’s life to others. A glad heart gets immeasurably more out of life than one that is gloomy. Every day brings its benedictions. If it is raining, rain is a blessing. If trouble comes, God draws nearer than before, for “as your days, so shall you strength be.” Then in the trouble benedictions are folded up. If there is sorrow, comfort is revealed in the sorrow, a bright light in the cloud. If the day brings difficulties, hardships, heavy burdens, sharp struggles, life’s best things come in just this kind of experience, and not in the easy ways. The thanksgiving heart finds treasure and good everywhere.
Then, a glad life makes a career of gladness wherever it goes. It leaves an unbroken lane of sunbeams behind it. Everybody is better as well as happier for meeting, even casually, one whose life is full of brightness and cheer.
“Just being happy
Is a fine thing to do;
Looking on the bright side
Rather than the blue;
Sad or sunny musing
Is largely in the choosing,
And just being happy
Is brave work and true.
“Just being happy
Helps other souls along;
Their burdens may be heavy’
And they are not strong;
And your won sky will lighten
If other skies you brighten
By just being happy
With a heart full of song!”
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