I have been trying to decide for a while what to write for a post. This morning, when I came across these paragraphs in the Ministry of Healing they really hit home, and I just had to share them. Praise God and Smile!
Nothing tends more to promote health of
body and of soul than does a spirit of gratitude and praise. It is a
positive duty to resist melancholy, discontented thoughts and
feelings—as much a duty as it is to pray. If we are Heaven bound,
how can we go as a band of mourners, groaning and complaining all
along the was to our Father's house? {MH 251.1}
Those professed christians who are
constantly complaining, and who seem to think cheerfulness and
happiness a sin, have not genuine religion. Those who take a mournful
pleasure in all that is melancholy in the natural worlds, who choose
to look upon dead leaves rather than to gather the beautiful living
flowers, who see no beauty in grand mountain heights and in valleys
clothed with living green, who close their senses to the joyful voice
which speaks to them in nature, and which sweet and musical to the
listening ear—these are not in Christ. They are gathering to
themselves gloom and darkness, when they might have brightness, even
the Son of Righteousness arising in their hearts with healing in His
Beams. {MH 251.3}
It is a law in nature that our thoughts
and feelings are encouraged and strengthened as we give them
utterance. While words express thoughts, it is also true that
thoughts follow words. If we give more expression to our faith,
rejoice more in the blessings that we have,--the face and love of
God,-- We shall have more faith and greater joy. No tongue can
express, no finite mind can conceive, the blessing that results from
appreciating the goodness and love of God. Even on earth we may have
joy as a wellspring, never failing, because fed by streams that flow
from the throne of God. {MH 251. 4}
Then let us educate our hearts and lips
to speak the praise of God for His matchless love. Let us educate our
souls to be hopeful and to abide in the light shining from the cross
of Calvary. Never should we forget that we are children of the
heavenly King, sons and daughters of the Lord of hosts. It is our
privilege to maintain a calm repose in God. {MH 253.1}
