Praising God when WHAT??

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Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing praise. (James 5:13 -ESV)

Typically we Christians are pretty good at remembering to go to God in prayer when we are suffering. But how often do we sing praises when we are cheerful? Note the adjective: cheerful. Not thrilled, elated, joyful or victorious....just.... cheerful.

 As I read James 5:13, I was thinking about what the text did not say. It did not say "Has anyone had a major victory? Let him sing praise." No. It said, "Is anyone CHEERFUL? Let him sing praise." Just cheerful. No major events here - it challenged me. 

Do I regularly give Him praise when the only thing going on is that I am cheerful? Do you?

Certainly we need to give God glory and His rightful place in the big events in our lives, but James gives us an excellent reminder that we also need to remember to praise Him in the small events and the "non-events" as well.

To the only God, our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen. -Jude 1:25 ESV