Life Is-- Good or Bad?

Have you seen the t-shirts and bumper stickers declaring Life Is Good ? Although I agree with this general philosophy, I believe Jesus has more to say on the subject. Here is my take on life:

When your stomach is full, life is good. If the meal was tasty and you had dessert, life is tremendous.
When you are so sick you haven’t seen your appetite in weeks, life is hard
When you are holding all three grandchildren on your lap and singing, “I’ve Been Working on the Railroad” life is fun.
When you miss out on the grandkids’ ballgames and birthday parties because they live three states away, life is difficult.
When you know at least one of your family members love you unconditionally, life is sweet. If there is more than one, you are blessed beyond counting.
When you are forced to say goodbye to someone you loved sooner than you’d planned, life is horrible.
Well, which is it, then? Delightful or dreadful? Terrific or terrible? That depends.
Jesus told His followers, “I came to give you life abundantly, in all it’s fulness, 'til it overflows.” (John 10:10) He also said, “In this world you will have tribulation.” (John 16:33) Jesus acknowledged that we’d have happy days and horrible days. He was not an idealist who refused to admit the presence of evil in the world, hoping it would go away if He ignored it.
Although what I know would fill a thimble, I believe I’ve discovered the secret to Jesus’ success in the rough times: He spent time with this Father, getting His perspective. Jesus often stole away from the crowds to spend hours, even entire nights in prayer, seeking God’s wisdom and strength. This is how he maintained control and composure when a lynch mob tried to throw Him off a cliff, or religious leaders accused Him of doing miracles by the power of satan. Because He was full of His Father’s thoughts, Jesus always faced darkness head on, refusing to tremble or run from trouble.
While we may not be able to spend all night in prayer, we can follow Jesus’ example of turning to the Father when we need wisdom for rough days. We can sit quietly and simply listen to His still, calm voice in our hearts. We can open His word and mine jewels of direction and understanding.
Life is good. Life is also hard. Yet, we do not have to crumple in a heap of despair and fear when hard times confront us. We have the same solution Jesus had, because His father is our father, too. When life is hard, we can pray.