Can one be half full and half empty and still rejoice?
The answer is a resounding “Yes!”
“And you shall eat there before Yahweh your God, and you shall rejoice in all your endeavors, you and your family in which Yahweh your God has blessed you.”
Deuteronomy 12:7
The Israelites were told to “diligently observe” the rule to rejoice, in addition to other rules and regulations that had been set.
Each person is expected to “rejoice in his endeavors”.
This is a stark contrast to how we normally think we could be happy. If I had this, if I had that…. But we can rejoice in what we have accomplished – looking at our “half full cup”.
On the other hand, one finds it hard to rejoice when one looks at his “half empty cup”. It is common to hear this from our children – If you were to buy me a gift (like a bicycle, book, toy) I would be happy!
This is a passive attitude towards happiness – always waiting for others to make us happy.
But God commands the Israelties (and us) to make it a rule to make ourselves happy, instead of waiting for something or someone to make us happy.
No one but yourself, has the key to making yourself happy.
This commandment is repeated again in the New Testament.
“Rejoice in the Lord always; again I say, rejoice.”
Philippians 4:4
We are commanded to rejoice. Why is rejoicing so important for us?
Joy to our hearts is like food for our bodies. No one starves his body and believes that he is strong and healthy. Similarly, no one starves his heart of joy and believes he can be a joyful and emotionally stable person in the long run.
Therefore, we need to diligently feed our hearts with joy, just like how we feed our bodies when we are hungry.
But how can I rejoice if I have not achieved my goals?
And if I am an ambitious person, and I add a more ambitious goal to my life all the time; wouldn’t I always be unfulfilled and unhappy? I would always have a “half empty cup”.
On the contrary, note that contentment and joy are not co-related. You can be contented but not at all joyful! (Read our post “Half Empty or Half Full – Looking at your Past or your Future).
Just looking at your “cup” as being half full, is merely looking at your past achievements. We need to look at our “half empty cup” and still be able to rejoice!
Seeing a half empty “cup” helps you to look at your future. It helps you see where you are lacking. It is also the potential that you have and the goal you should strive for. In other words, seeing a half empty “cup” is looking at the future. Your goal for a better future is in the “half empty cup”. This should propel you to work for it, instead of simply sitting around and accepting that you are pessimistic.
Man is a creature capable of constant growth and learning. Therefore it is normal that we always set a more ambitious goal for ourselves once the previous goal is met.
This discontentment does not mean we should be unhappy. On the contrary, we need to actively find reason to rejoice!
You can look at your “half full cup” and rejoice in all your endeavors; and also look at your “half empty cup” – where hope for a better future lay, and rejoice!
The Bible gives us the method to rejoice –
“Rejoice always, pray constantly, give thanks in everything; for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus.”
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
Give thanks in everything – and you will have reason to rejoice.
Here is a practical way to rejoice!
Find three things to give thanks for everyday!
- Find a God-given reason to give thanks for – Look for a scenic spot to view the sunrise and the sunset and give thanks! Nature always invokes a sense of gratitude to God.
- Find a thanksgiving reason related to what others do for you – give thanks for the delicious food that your mother or your wife prepares for you every day!
- Find a thanksgiving reason about myself – thank God for the work I have done today!
“…the joy of the LORD is your strength.”
Nehemiah 8:10