Truth Be Told
March 1, 2023 by Cindy Martin
Filed under Daily Devotions
By Cindy Martin –
On a recent trip to church my two teenagers were having a rather innocuous verbal squabble. I had a mountain of difficult issues that were racing through my mind so I rationalized that they were old enough to work this out on their own. Besides, I needed time to think my own thoughts. I had all but tuned out their conversation until I heard my daughter’s witty response to what was undoubtedly one of her brother’s taunts.
“Jesus loves you, but I’m struggling.”
What? I thought I missed something so I asked her to repeat herself and she did, “Jesus loves you, but I’m struggling.” Her response came so calmly and in such a matter-of-fact tone of voice that when her words penetrated my otherwise overloaded thought processes, I began to laugh out loud. By the time I arrived at church, there was a lightness in my heart that hadn’t been there when we left home.
I’ve chuckled to myself several times since then, and it’s caused me to reflect on the importance of humor, especially when life overwhelms with hard things. Scripture shows the value of humor and its impact on our physical, emotional and spiritual health. Proverbs 15:13 tells us, “A cheerful heart brings a smile to your face; a sad heart makes it hard to get through the day” (MSG). Two verses later in Proverbs 15:15 we read, “A miserable heart means a miserable life; a cheerful heart fills the day with song” (MSG).
It’s easy to get overly focused especially when we feel like we’re drowning in the demands of our lives. Still, I believe God would instruct us to not always take this life so seriously, particularly during seasons of intense stress and strain. The old adage, “Laughter is the best medicine” finds its roots in scripture and sometimes I believe that is exactly what the Great Physician would prescribe.
Scripture: “A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a broken spirit saps a person’s strength” (Proverbs 17:22 NLT).
Prayer: “Lord Jesus, help me to rest in Your ability to take care for the happenings of my life so I can take time to stop and enjoy the life You gave me.”
Cindy and her husband of 23 years live with their two special needs children near Calgary, Alberta, Canada. She is passionate about people experiencing the difference Jesus desires to make in their everyday lives. This passion finds expression in her speaking, writing and teaching. Visit www.lifemeetsreality.com for more information.