Sunday, January 16, 2011

Be of Good Cheer

(Sunshine Through the Clouds- Shantell Giles)
My heart is full and is begging for some release to this blog. I hope that the things I write from within my heart have helped you in many ways and I feel that my message today may benefit us all wherever we may be in our lives. I hope to change my life today and to work harder!

“Wherefore, be of good cheer, and do not fear, for I the Lord am with you, and will stand by you; and ye shall bear record of me, even Jesus Christ, that I am the Son of the living God, that I was, that I am, and that I am to come.” (D&C 68:5–6.)

From this scripture we can see that the Lord has given us an invitation to be of good cheer. This is a commandment given to each of us to be of good cheer in each of our lives. Honestly, how often is this commandment broken? How often in the midst of trial and tribulation do we forget that the Lord asks to be of good cheer? I feel that there is no greater need at this point in the world for us to exercise this principle in our lives than there is now.  The Lord has promised us that as we are of Good Cheer that He will be with us and that He will stand by us.

"Good cheer is a state of mind or mood that promotes happiness or joy. Some like to think good cheer is found in a bottle, a six-pack, an injection, a pinch under the lip, rationalization, or self-deceit. Incidentally, it has been my observation over the years that those who try to drown their sorrows with drink only sicken their tomorrows. With God’s help, good cheer permits us to rise above the depressing present or difficult circumstances. It is a process of positive reassurance and reinforcement. It is sunshine when clouds block the light." - Marvin J. Ashton ( April 1986 General Conference) I find this statement so profound and utterly true and I feel that it is so blunt that it takes care of many things that are eating the people of this world today. We all know that none of us are perfect. God never promised that we would be without trial, suffering, or tribulation, but he promised that through Him we could find that good cheer and peace would radiate within us.

When we allow the Lord to come into our lives, cheer honestly lights the way. As we talk of Christ I find His words touching, "These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world." (John 16:33.) All in all He has promised to stand by each of us. He has invited us to bear record of Him and to be of good cheer. He has overcome the world.

I feel strongly that there is one last thing I should share and its something dear to my heart. Today I had the opportunity to listen to and feel the testimony of a dear friend and hero of mine. Sister DenBoer is an incredible woman who has the desire to share her feelings for the Savior and her deep love for Him. She has always been an example to me and when Christ asks in D&C to bear record of Him she is someone I think of. All of this matters in being of good cheer, but its what she said today that hit me. She asked what is it that defines us? What is it that sets us apart as Daughters of our Heavenly Father. ( In the case of this blog... What sets us apart as Daughters and Sons of our Heavenly Father?) With emotion she said, " It is our Testimonies. It is our Testimonies that defines each and everyone of us."  The spirit that radiated through the room today touch my heart and filled my mind and changed my life. I am grateful for the words she had expressed because I believe it is so true that my testimony is what defines me in this world. I love the Savior, Jesus Christ with all of my heart and with all of my soul and I know that as I bear testimony of Him and also of His love for me that I may grow closer to Him and He will stand by me. Be NOT afraid to bear testimony because you never know whose life may be affected by your words and the spirit! Let us all be of good cheer! Let us all be ready to answer as to why we are cheerful. It is because of Jesus Christ and who He is to each of us that we feel of good cheer! Have a wonderful week and remember to smile and to be happy :)

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