Don't Worry; Be Hoppy
Good morning. It is Thursday, June 16, 2022.
We all have them. None of us want them. We can try and avoid them. But they will find us. Let’s talk about troubles.
I love refrigerator magnets. When I was a young mother, my fridge was covered in colorful alphabet letters and numbers. It was fun to make words as well as see what the kids came up with.
Long gone are the magnetized letters. Now I lean more toward photos and inspirational sayings. One such magnet has been on my fridge for over 20 years…maybe more. It reads “Don’t quit because you failed, or you will fail because you quit.”
Another is a frog with the caption, “Don’t Worry; Be Hoppy” and every time I read it, I start humming “Don’t Worry; Be Happy” by Bobby McFerrin.
“Here's a little song I wrote You might want to sing it note for note Don't worry be happy
In every life we have some trouble But when you worry you make it double Don't worry be happy…”
Henry Ward Beecher once said, “Troubles are often the tools by which God fashions us for better things.”
Jesus said, “…In the world you will have tribulation (or trouble)…” John 16:33 NKJV
He goes on to say, “But be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”
It’s hard going through the fire of growth or discipline. It’s hard when we do not have peace in our life. It’s hard when trouble comes knocking, but we are encouraged to learn and live with a cheerful heart. Be of good cheer.
Psalm 71:20 “You, who have shown me great and severe troubles, shall revive me again…” NKJV
If we take an honest look back on our lives, the struggles, and trials that we have endured, I believe we could then honestly say, “I learned from that. I am better because of that trial. I am more equipped to handle the next trouble.”
“Trouble is here. It is for a purpose. Use it for the purpose for which it was intended – to help you grow. Thank God for your troubles.” ~ Norman Vincent Peale
Yes, troubles will come, and troubles will go, and the best way to get through those hard times is to be prepared ahead of time. Purpose in your heart and mind now, how you will react. Be prepared for trouble by building your faith muscle now.
John 14:1 instructs: “Do not let your hearts be troubled…” NIV
Helen Keller once said, “Unless we form the habit of going to the Bible in bright moments as well as in trouble, we cannot fully respond to its consolations because we lack equilibrium between light and darkness.”
Only Jesus can offer the type of peace that calms the waters on the sea. Only Jesus can cause our hearts to be calm and not afraid. Only Jesus can give us the kind of peace that allows us to smile in the midst of our troubles.
He promised, “Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” John 14:27 NKJV
So, don’t worry, be happy.
“I love those who can smile in trouble.” ~ Leonardo da Vinci