A merry
heart makes a cheerful countenance, But by sorrow of the heart the spirit is
broken. – Proverbs 15v13
‘Don’t
worry, be happy’ is certainly not a Biblical song. Bobby McFerrin’s song is a
lot of fun but it basically gives the advice that no matter what is wrong we
should not worry about it, but just simply be happy. The idea is that things
are not going to get any better so just forget about it and everything will be
fine.
Part of the
lyrics I think fit in here though – ‘…when you worry your face will frown and
that will bring everybody down so don't worry, be happy (now).....’
Sadness,
what the writer of Proverbs calls ‘sorrow of the heart’, is contagious. We have
all known that ‘gloomy Gus’ who walks into a room and brings down the spirit of
everyone else in the room. We also know that person who, no matter what their
circumstances, brightens up a room when they walk in.
Of course,
there is also that person who always outs on a happy show that can be
sickening, but that is for another day.
In general
though, what kind of attitude does the most for the cause of Christ? No matter
how bad things are we do have plenty to rejoice in. We have hope that eludes
others. We know our eternal fate. We know that the victory is already won.
‘In every
life we have some trouble when you worry you make it double don't worry, be
happy......’ Though written for a fun little ditty, those words ring true to
God’s people. Don’t be full of cares; instead take it to the Lord with
thanksgiving. Then leave it in His hands and rejoice in Him.
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