James Collins

“Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort.”2 Corinthians 1:3

I like to work in my yard. I like to work in my yard for several reasons: it's good exercise, it’s therapeutic, it provides quiet time, and occasionally, my wife insists.

When I work in my yard, I have a good time. It’s just Jesus and me. So, I like to sing praises to Jesus. I often worry the neighbors will hear me singing and call the police because they think I’m killing a cat. I don’t have the best singing voice.

Our backyard has a small orchard with peach, apple, pear, plum, and cherry trees. One day, while pruning and singing, I filled a trash can with leaves and limbs. Have you ever had a song stuck in your head? That day, mine was He has made me glad.

I sang, “He has made me glad

O, He has made me glad

I will rejoice for He has made me glad

He has made me glad

O, He has made me glad

I will rejoice for He has made me glad”

As I finished pruning, I noticed the trash can was full except for a little pile left. Still singing “He has made me glad,” I worked to fit in the last bit.

“He has made me glad

O, He has made me glad…”

To make more room in the trash can, I climbed inside and continued singing as I pressed the leaves and limbs down.

Then, I began to jump up and down to smash everything down, hoping to make space for more in the trash can.

“He has made me glad

O, He has made me glad…”

Did I tell you that there are wheels on the back of that trash can? The trash can began to roll as I jumped up and down inside it.

There was nothing I could do. I hunkered down in the fetal position as the trash can rolled out from under me. When I hit the ground, it knocked the “He has made me glad” right out of me!

I stopped singing. I stopped giving Him glory. I stopped praising the Lord when I hit the ground.

The point is: When life is going well, it is easy to praise the Lord Jesus Christ. However, when trouble comes, we forget all about Him. The One we need the most, we call on the least when we are in trouble.

No matter what trials and tribulations you face today, remember you can call on Jesus. He is the God of all comfort, ready to give you the strength you need. Don’t wait for trouble to pass—reach out to Him now, and let Him fill you with gladness once more.