People Who Inspire Us To Be Better

A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones. Proverbs 17:22 

  

  She was telling a joke and generally trying to engage those around her. It was early in the day and I was just wanting to be left alone and have peace and quiet. She was cheerful. I was grumpy. Though she was younger than I, she needed to use a walker because of a disability. Yet I could easily stand on my own two feet. I had no reason to feel grouchy, and she had no reason to be cheerful, but she was happy and upbeat. 

  Often, we are convicted of our failure of attitude by those less fortunate around us. We gripe and complain about a little rain, and they laugh and play in the thunderstorm. We believe that we are succeeding, while those who appear to be failing pass us by. 

   

  

“Sick and yet happy, in peril and yet happy, dying and yet happy, in exile and happy, in disgrace and happy.” 

― Epictetus  

  

  The philosopher Epictetus outlined the ideal person as being someone who could be in all sorts of difficulties and yet remain cheerful. I must admit I continually struggle with that. Most of the time my wife can tell something is bothering me at a glance. Yet I long to be that person described by Epictetus, and when I meet such a person they always leave me feeling that I have a long way to go in my walk to be Christlike. 

  Jesus engaged many people that society around Him disregarded. Children were given little thought, yet Jesus told His disciples not to forbid them coming to Him. Jesus touched the untouchable, and loved the unlovable. When we can love such people, and when we can come through adversity with a smile on our face and cheer in our hearts we will be like Jesus. 

  Prayer, Dear Lord, forgive us for being less like You than we ought to. Help us to keep joy in our hearts and a smile upon our faces for we are Your children and heirs of an eternity in Your Presence. Amen.