{"id":6860,"date":"2025-10-12T09:00:00","date_gmt":"2025-10-12T14:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/barbdahlgren.com\/?p=6860"},"modified":"2025-08-19T18:50:04","modified_gmt":"2025-08-19T23:50:04","slug":"be-of-good-cheer","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/barbdahlgren.com\/?p=6860","title":{"rendered":"Be of Good Cheer"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Short and sweet thought for the week\u2026<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n

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When the disciples saw Jesus walking on the water, they didn\u2019t know who he was or what to think. So Jesus told them, \u201cBe of good cheer. It is I; do not be afraid” (Matthew 14:27).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A couple of thoughts come to mind when I read this passage. First, I\u2019m so pleased Jesus used old proper English in His wording, even though He wasn\u2019t speaking in English. I know that today it is permissible to say, \u201cIt is I\u201d or \u201cIt\u2019s me,\u201d but as an old-school former teacher, I\u2019m always happy to hear people say, \u201cIt is I.\u201d So thank you, Jesus! This alone makes me cheerful.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The other thought is that I wonder why Jesus said, \u201cBe of good cheer!\u201d I don\u2019t think He was just telling them to \u201cput on a happy face\u201d or \u201clook on the bright side.\u201d This wouldn\u2019t calm the nerves of someone who is apprehensive about what is going on.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Even though some think that Christians should always be smiling and happy no matter what is happening in their lives, it is a misconception. After all, Christians experience the same hardships as others. They lose loved ones, get divorces, face health challenges, feel abandoned, and have their hearts broken just like everyone else. I think the last thing they want to hear when they are fearful for the future or in despair is, \u201cBe of good cheer!\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Some translations describe the intent of \u201cbe of good cheer\u201d as to \u201ctake heart.\u201d Actually, the Greek word here is tharseite <\/em>which means to be of good courage. Jesus uses this phrase to encourage those who are fearful. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In John 16:33, Jesus says, \u201cThese things I have spoken to you that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation but be of good cheer for I have overcome the world.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In other words, we have nothing to worry about because Jesus is with us and has everything under control. We can put our hope and trust in Him. So be of good cheer, Jesus will take care of us now and in the future, even at times when we feel confused about what\u2019s happening.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cBut immediately Jesus spoke to them saying, \u2018Be of<\/em>
good cheer! It is I; do not be afraid.'” ~Matthew 14:27<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Short and sweet thought for the week\u2026 When the disciples saw Jesus walking on the water, they didn\u2019t know who he was or what to think. So Jesus told them, \u201cBe of good cheer. It is I; do not be … Continue reading →<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[1],"tags":[],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/barbdahlgren.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6860"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/barbdahlgren.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/barbdahlgren.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/barbdahlgren.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/barbdahlgren.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=6860"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/barbdahlgren.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6860\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":6923,"href":"https:\/\/barbdahlgren.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6860\/revisions\/6923"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/barbdahlgren.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=6860"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/barbdahlgren.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=6860"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/barbdahlgren.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=6860"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}