Proverbs 17:22 (CEB) A joyful heart helps healing, but a
broken spirit dries up the bones.
I’ve learned to pay careful attention when the same phrase
or conversation comes up numerous times in a short period of time. Yesterday it was all about keeping a good
humor in the face of challenges. It
surfaced in five different conversations.
It was with people who had dealt with serious health issues and/or who
had experienced personal loss or difficult situations but instead of retreating
into their beds of self-pity they decided to find places in life that would
offer laughter. I related that I used to
be easily irritated. If I would drop something on the bathroom floor in my
sleepy trying to get dressed state I would react with an expletive. My body would
respond accordingly. Over the years as I
became closer to God and became open to the peace of the Holy Spirit, my
attitude changed completely. Now if I
face the same circumstance I just laugh and say, “you clumsy thing” pick up the
item and move on. My super assistant and
friend Randy also has learned to laugh when there seems to be so much to do in
so little time. He reminded me of the
health benefits of smiling. It relieves
stress, it boosts our immune system and it also releases endorphins, natural
pain killers and serotonin. Together these make us feel good. The Psalmist knew this, too. Without
belittling life’s tragedies for which tears and grief are certainly in order, I
can say that for the most part many find it easier to be irritated and
irritable and self-pitying than is necessary.
Their attitude is self-fulfilling. Think unhappy, be unhappy. We can pay a lot of attention to exercise and
diet and our faith, and yet fail to work on the mental health aspects of
fighting the temptation to be down and irritated when we could be claiming the
peace and joy of the Lord.
God of all creation, we come to you with many concerns and
you in return help us to move through life with unexplained peace and an inner
joy that isn’t suppressed by life’s challenges and irritations. Thanks for all your care and support in our
daily lives. Please help us feel your
presence today. Amen.
Happy Friday!!
Paige
No comments:
Post a Comment