Pillar Article from August-October 2009 Issue

Are You a Cheerful Person?

Do you ever wonder why some people are always smiling and seem to be “walking on sunshine”? You can be one of them!

By Michael H. Venish

A smile is one of the most universal human expressions. Every human being does it, and it requires no complex action. Just lift up your cheeks and spread your lips.

Have you noticed the magnetic effect on you when someone smiles? You immediately find yourself doing the same. A room full of people seems to light up when a person enters smiling; he or she tends to bring a change of mood: cheerfulness.

However, being cheerful is not just about smiling—it is a matter of the mind and is related to attitude. Being cheerful, therefore, is a choice.

We live in a world plagued by misery, heartache and sorrow. Millions suffer depression, some few find temporary relief through therapy and various drugs. According to statistics provided by PBS, “Major depression affects approximately 15 million American adults or about 8% of the U.S. population age 18 and older in a given year.” In addition, “Depression is also known to weaken the immune system, making the body more susceptible to other medical illnesses.”

The book of Proverbs teaches, “A merry heart does good like a medicine: but a broken spirit dries the bones” (Prov. 17:22).

A merry heart, or cheerfulness coupled with laughter, actually releases “neuropeptides—that help fight stress and potentially more-serious illnesses—into the immune system,” a Mayo Clinic study revealed. “In contrast, negative thoughts…can impact your body by bringing more stress into your system and decreasing your immunity.”

We live in a world of uncertainty, where the anchors in life that should keep people positive, secure and happy are unknown or forgotten.

From when I was a teenager to the time of my conversion, I was introverted. (Many may not believe this today, however, it is true.) Numerous times I would have to travel by car with my boss, to various towns to work. These trips lasted two to three hours. I would sit quietly in the car not talking, and my boss would attempt to initiate conversation. I would respond with a “yes” or “no,” and then look out of the side window. I struggled with this trait for a long time, and it was difficult to overcome, until I was called by God. I received His Spirit at baptism, and over the years, I was given the opportunity to develop godly confidence through various opportunities in the Church.

The key that helped me conquer this fear of people (anthropophobia) was to step out in faith, trusting in the lessons taught in Scripture and emulating the good examples set by Church leaders at that time.

I came to understand what Paul meant when he told Timothy that God had not given him a Spirit of “fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind” (II Tim. 1:7). Understanding this helps set the stage for answering the question, “Are you a cheerful person?”

Paul mentions four qualities: fear, power, love and a sound mind. Let’s analyze these characteristics and see how they play a part in being cheerful.

Spirit of Fear

The Greek word for “fear” is deilia, which means “timidity, fearfulness, cowardice.” People experience various kinds of phobias: fear of the dark, thunderstorms or lightning strikes—even a fear of meeting new people or public speaking.

Many would admit they have had feelings of inferiority. People generally fear not measuring up to the standards of family or friends. “I’m the black sheep of the family,” they might say. Some see themselves as unappealing, and fear rejection. Usually, people tend to have a faulty view of their personality.

Why would Paul say that Timothy was not given a spirit of fear? Because fear is not an attribute of the Holy Spirit! Christians cannot be timid or fearful, nor can they allow feelings of inferiority to hold them back. The spirit of this world (I Cor. 2:12) causes and influences feelings of fear, but God has given us a Spirit of “power and of love and a sound mind.”

Of Power and Love

When Jesus said to His disciples “that My joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full” (John 15:11), He was talking about cheerfulness. The Greek word for “joy” is chara, meaning “calm delight” or “cheerfulness.” Jesus Christ expects us to be full of joy—to be positive people, which is why He has given us the spirit of joy.

How often do you consider the power dwelling in you? I am not referring to some kind of inner force that you have to somehow conjure up through self-will, or through a manmade, pull-yourself-up-by-your-boot-straps, self-help program. I mean the real, awesome power of the living God.

Remember, you were imbued with the power of God of which Jesus said, “My joy might remain in you.” This “joy” is a fruit of the Holy Spirit (Gal. 5:22).

Paul instructed Timothy to “stir up the gift of God, which is in you by the putting on of my hands” (II Tim. 1:6). This is our responsibility too! We must step out in faith and zealously stir up this fruit of joy.

God’s love for us is revealed in the bountiful benefits He gives. Certainly, this should be a cause for much rejoicing!

When you give your children a gift, do you delight in the joy they express? God rejoices even more so. Notice Psalm 103: “Bless the Lord, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless His holy name. Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits: who forgives all your iniquities; who heals all your diseases; who redeems your life from destruction; who crowns you with loving kindness and tender mercies; who satisfies your mouth with good things; so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.

“The Lord executes righteousness and judgment for all that are oppressed. He made known His ways unto Moses, His acts unto the children of Israel.

“The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy. He will not always chide: neither will He keep His anger forever.

“He has not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities. For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is His mercy toward them that fear Him. As far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us.

“Like as a father pities his children, so the Lord pities them that fear Him. As for man, his days are as grass: as a flower of the field, so he flourishes. For the wind passes over it, and it is gone; and the place thereof shall know it no more.

“But the mercy of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear Him, and His righteousness unto children’s children; to such as keep His covenant, and to those that remember His commandments to do them” (vs. 1-18).

God has given us an awesome future. We will enjoy life forever in His kingdom as kings and priests reigning with Jesus Christ, and above all, we will be His bride (Rev. 19:7). At the time of Christ’s marriage, everyone will be so excited that all will literally leap with joy. The word for “rejoice” in verse 7 is agalliao, which means “to jump for joy” or to be “with exceeding joy.”

Attitude Matters

Cheerfulness begins with attitude. Notice how Paul describes what we need to do to attain the right perspective: “Fulfill you my joy, that you be like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than themselves. Look not every man on his own things [your own accomplishments], but every man also on the things of others. Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus” (Phil. 2:1-5).

Jesus Christ always looked outward, away from the self. He conquered self-will: “Nevertheless not My will, but Yours, be done” (Luke 22:42).

Our Father gave Jesus (John 3:16), and Jesus, in turn, gave Himself to reconcile us to the Father (Eph. 2:16; Col. 1:20).

Self-will tends to look down on others. It involves an air of superiority, which leads to self-righteousness. Instead, be like-minded and speak the same things that God has revealed to all of us through His truth.

Learn to forgive others and not hold a grudge, as this type of attitude sets you up as a judge, which leads to condemnation and accusations—the kind of attitude that Satan, the accuser of the brethren (Rev. 12:10), employs. A begrudging attitude will lead to you being judged by God (Jms. 5:9).

Therefore, be an instrument of joy and cheerfulness. Rejoice! Let there be no limit to your forgiveness! Remember how far God places our sins: “As far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us” (Psa. 103:12).

Again, the most universal human expression is a smile. This should be linked to the inner peace of mind brought about by the hope that is within us—the hope of eternal life in the kingdom of God.

Ask yourself, “Am I a cheerful person?” If not, why not? You have so much to be cheerful about!