TRAGEDY or COMEDY?

     When we were living in Key West, Florida in ’77 or so, there was a wall plaque in the military day room. “Life is a tragedy to those who think, it is a comedy to those who feel.” For many years I have reflected on that philosophical statement. Whether a TRAGEDY or COMEDY will depend on one’s viewpoint, and the OUTCOME of the particular situation. Looking at bite–size examples may help answer the question.

  • When a woman has a baby (which we did there at that time) there is a lot of pain and medical issues of the worst   variety -- tragedy – but then the new baby can be really charming & sweet. Almost a comedy or fun outcome . . .
  • Earning two retirements then going to jail for more than TWICE the average time of murder for a crime just a few years ago would have got a couple years in the slammer is a real tragedy. But finding real faith renewal, and spiritual victory is almost a comedy or joyous outcome . . . (just a high price to get that blessing)
  • An Asian nation follows false leadership then loses the resulting war by being nuked was/is a tragedy. But that nation becomes prosperous & successful, and not having the burden of funding an expensive military machine is a joyous outcome. . .
  • Conservative/productive U.S. Judeo-Christian values giving way to liberal loosie-goosie anything goes policies on every subject, is a real tragedy. The corruption of the U.S. entertainment industry, and pettiness in Washington D.C. politics is surely a comedy (might as well laugh - what other good can we get from it?)
  • Handicapped people and the blind go through life with hardships untold which is a real tragedy. But those same people develop character, and often outperform us “normal” folks - paralyzed pres. Roosevelt of the early 40’s comes to mind & is a joyous outcome & example of the handicapped.
  • Early Christians were fed to lions in the arena for entertainment of the Romans. A tragedy especially for the victims.  But a comedy outcome when the state religion became Christianity and was publicly funded by tax money.
  • The character Joseph long before Christ who was sold into slavery in Egypt by his own brothers had to be a tragedy.  But God promoted him all the way to the second man to the Pharaoh. What a joyous outcome for him & early Israel.   Genesis Chapter 37.
  • God visits his planet earth in the form of J.C., then gets condemned to death by the religious leaders of that same nation that He started & nurtured with major miracles. The disaster tragedy of the human race of all time. But the resurrection has been a subject of rejoicing for 2 thousand years now. For believers in Christ there can be no better comedy - “the last laugh is the best laugh.”

    The objective view of life may well be a tragedy with all its hardships, disasters, accidents, WARS, murders, abortions, divorces, alcoholism, (old age), and sad facts with hell as a natural end. It is hard to imagine how that list of muck can be a comedy to anyone (unless they are on a real bizarre drug.) But with the “victory” of Christ’s salvation in place, and the under girding of the Holy Spirit, it is indeed possible to feel comedy and fun in this hard world. A lot of unfortunate/difficult things do have a silver lining – especially for those who believe & pray.
•    Psalm 94:19 When the cares of my heart are many, thy consolations cheer my soul.
•   2 Corinthians 1:9 Why, we felt that we had received the sentence of death; but that was to make us rely not on               ourselves but on God who raises the dead; . . .
•   Romans 8:18 I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be       revealed to us.
•   Romans 8:28 We know that in everything God works for good with those who love him, who are called according to his      purpose.

     Choose Jesus, He is alive. And think victory, comedy, optimism, God’s providence, blessing, and eternity in heaven. What a fine outcome.

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