Be a Gloom Chaser

"Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing that ye may abound in hope . . ." (ROMANS 15:13).

Have you ever met the kind of person who can walk into a group of people and charge them with enthusiasm? Such a person is a joy to have around, all right.

Maybe the gang has planned a picnic for a certain day. The weather has been hot and dry for weeks. The farmers are praying for rain. Then, splash! The bottom drops out of the clouds on the day of the picnic. Gloom.

Then along comes this gloom chaser. He had planned on going on the picnic, too. But instead of crying the blues with the rest of the bunch he tries to point out the good that the rain will do and has them all praising God for the rain that washed out the picnic. They couldn't change the weather, anyhow, he tells them. So, why not make the best of it?

Don't you wonder sometimes where the idea ever got started that followers of Christ should not enjoy themselves? We can be sure that Christ didn't start that rumor. He taught that life was a serious business, all right, but he also told his followers to trust in God and not to let bad times get them down.

"Be of good cheer," he would tell them. They had a lot less to be cheerful about than we do today, but a Christian is a gloom chaser. He has learned to trust in God and to enjoy life. When you're sick in bed read a good book. When it's raining get some inside work done. Worried and depressed? Open the windows and doors to your life and let God come in. When you are down there is only one direction you can go. That is up. You'll find God there.