How You Can Be Happy Even When Sick

“The people of Judah and Israel were as numerous as the sand on the seashore; they ate, they drank and they were happy.” 1 Kings 4:20 

  

  I admire those who always seem happy.  

  Sometimes I feel happy looking at a beautiful blue sky filled with fluffy white clouds, or the night sky glowing with bright stars. At other times it is birds singing, or wind rustling the leaves of a tree that make me smile. Adding up all these little daily happy blessings, I find my happiness increasingly rises. 

  It is not easy to be ill and maintain happiness. It defies common sense to be sick and happy, suffer and still be able to laugh or simply smile. Yet there are those individuals that despite suffering, poverty, who having what any sane person would consider a miserable life, can still smile, laugh, and be happy. We look on in wonder at such people. We are amazed that anyone could be happy in terrible circumstances. 

  Some of us have very good reasons to be miserable. Perhaps we are in continual pain, maybe our illness deforms us, or cripples us, or causes us to have mental and emotional problems. Perhaps we suffer not because of personal woes, but because a family member or friend is in pain, or ill, or disabled. It is difficult for some of us to be happy. 

  Very often I am tempted to feel sorry for myself. To allow anger have its way in my life and shake my fist at God. Some griefs and issues in life seem too great to bear, too much to withstand, yet we do not face such challenges alone. 

  Within each believer is the Spirit of Christ, the Spirit of Joy. We can call upon our Lord for help in the worst of circumstances, and can learn to rely upon Him and to trust Him in our travails. The Joy of the Lord can become not only our strength, but the source of our happiness despite our circumstances. 

  For no matter how tough your life may be, you have a loving God in your corner. He stands with you, and will give you joy and peace. He will help you find happiness despite your challenges in life. 

  Prayer: Dear Lord, when we are tempted to add up all our woes, all our challenges and problems, remind us of our blessings, and help us to find happiness in the land of our affliction. Amen.