"A Happy Heart Makes The Face Cheerful"

Our Friday Devotion comes to us from Council Member, Char Adams:

Catchy title for today's devotional, huh? Well, I'd like to take credit for it, but I have to give credit where credit is due. There are a lot more where this one came from. All right, if you give up, I'll have to tell you that it came straight from His Word - Proverbs 15:13.

"A happy heart makes the face cheerful..." Proverbs 15:13

God always directs me to write my devotionals based on what He would like me to share, and the ideas come from the strangest places. I got the idea for this topic as I was reading (thumbing through would be more accurate) magazines at the hospital emergency room last Sunday with our son. This topic for today's devotional came from an article I was reading in Better Homes And Gardens magazine entitled "Healthy You - Happiness". Even though this is obviously a secular magazine, the article's content seemed to have been lifted straight from Scripture. The author (and psychologist) quoted therein, Dr. David Myers from "The Pursuit of Happiness" said that "Happiness is rather like a cholesterol level - influenced genetically but also by the things that we can do."

One should not over think or over pursue trying to find happiness because that can backfire. As noted by the author, Darrin M. McMahon in "Happiness- A History", he stated that "It's like trying to get to sleep. If you focus on it too hard, the goal eludes you. Don't make happiness itself the goal. Instead, concentrate on it's main ingredients: solid relationships, gratitude, and that magical (I'll exercise poetic license and substitute "spiritual" here) thing called hope."

Doesn't that recipe for happiness seem like something that's come straight out of the Bible?

There were five things the article's author strongly stressed:

(1) LEARN TO APPRECIATE everyday events noting that the ability to see "ordinary" things with a sense of wonder is essential to contentment; We only have to stop a minute and think of rainbows, the stars, moon, sunsets.

"The Heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the works of His hands". Psalm 19:1.

(2) BE KIND OF HEART, noting that positive events lead to further positive events. That statement recalled to me the movie "Pay It Forward" which was based on just that concept. I'd like to encourage you with the following piece, which is displayed and greets everyone who has occasion to use the Guest Bathroom at our home -

Kindness is one of the great blessings of life.
It builds bridges instead of walls.
It finds ways to heal instead of hurt.
It seeks ways to build up instead of tear down.
It looks for ways to encourage instead of disappoint.
The eyes of kindness see others' needs;
the heart of kindness reaches out to touch,
to help, and to support.
Kindness mellows hardness, bends stiffness,
warms coldness,and smooths roughness.
Kindness changes the disposition of the serpent
into the nature of the dove
and the judge into a minister of mercy.

"As God's chosen people, Holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience." Col.3:12

(3) FAKE IT. That on first blush seemed like a strange concept. But, by this, the author conveyed that research has shown that going through the emotions can trigger emotions, that happiness is a choice, and suggests that by continuing to repeat happy thoughts, actions, and words, you'll soon find that they have become a part of who you are.

"May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit." Romans 15:13.

(4) NUTURE YOUR RELATIONSHIPS, the author noting that research has shown, that people's happiest experiences come from intimate relationships -spouses, family, friends. As we all know, it takes work and we can't just "wish ourselves" to have close relationships "if we're not willing to work at it. I'm sure we've all heard the expression, "If you want to have a friend, be one."

"Live in peace with each other. And we urge you Brothers, warn those who are idle, encourage the timid, help the weak, be patient with everyone. Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always try to be kind to each other and to everyone else." 1Thess.5:14-15.

(5) COUNT YOUR BLESSINGS. The author noted that "it might sound hokey and old-fashioned", but it works. I couldn't have disagreed with him more on that characterization, as it not only isn't hokey and old-fashioned, IT'S BIBLICAL! Imagine that! ("For I have learned to be content, whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.

"I CAN DO EVERYTHING THROUGH HIM WHO GIVES ME STRENGTH." Phil 4:11-13

This was without a doubt my most favorite part of the article because he talked about the idea of a "Gratitude Journal", where people just pause each day long enough to list 3 things for which they are thankful. So, I can't take credit for this idea either, but I will take credit for deciding to share it with you because I thought it was a great idea to kick off the month of July. So, I've attached a blank "Gratitude Journal" for you, if you're up to the challenge, to just try this in July. If we can't think of (and commit to writing) "3" things we're grateful for each day for 30 days, then this probably means we're not going to do so well either with the other 4 areas suggested by the author that, by doing, "just might" lead to happiness.

I'm really looking forward to doing this, and I hope you'll join me. If you decide to take me upon this, I'd love to hear back from all of you who do. If, for whatever reason, you are unable to print out the "Gratitude Journal" attached hereto, there will be copies on the back table in the Sanctuary on Sunday. The Scriptures I quoted above are by no means exhaustive of verses which support or reinforce these 5 areas, and you might enjoy searching for some on your own in your daily reading.

Doesn't the thought of a "Happy Heart" just make you smile? Have a very blessed weekend and much happiness in July.

In Him, Charlotte

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