Practice Being Cheerful

With warmer and sunnier weather there are more opportunities to get together with family and friends. That makes me cheerful.  I hope it does for you as well.

It is interesting how some people seem to always be upbeat and cheerful no matter what and then there are those that don’t seem able to crack a smile no matter how many good things happen around them. 

Most of the rest of us operate somewhere in the middle.  We’re cheerful when things are going well and struggle to be that way when we are stressed and circumstances bring pressure into our lives. 

Scientists tell us that being cheerful seems to have positive benefits on our over-all health.  There are studies that suggest being cheerful and optimistic limits stress, reduces pain, supports our immune system, and even helps to protect our heart. 

Is it any wonder that long before there were tests to prove it, the Bible already had this important information available?

A cheerful heart makes you healthy.  But a broken spirit dries you up.

Proverbs 17:22

Worry weighs us down; a cheerful word picks us up. 

Proverbs 12:25

A happy heart makes the face cheerful, but heartache crushes the spirit.  All the days of the oppressed are wretched, but the cheerful heart has a continual feast.  Proverbs 15:13, 15

Heavenly Father, We want to live today with joy in our hearts and be cheerful no matter what challenges we face.  We don’t want to just paste a smile on our face but to truly know the settledness in our hearts that allows us to be at peace and cheerful.

We want to stick with You today knowing that whatever seems broken in our world or our hearts, You are able to repair it.  We can trust You over the long haul to be with us, to support us, to encourage and direct us and to get us through. 

We bring our hearts and minds to You right now and ask for Your blessing to be poured out on us so we can know fresh encouragement and optimism to face this day, knowing that You are with us.  We don’t want to be those who grumble and complain but to live so we gain a reputation of being agreeable and working in harmony with others.

We’re grateful that we don’t have to pretend that problems don’t exist.  We simply want to be faithful to do our part to pray often, work hard, and trust You, God, in all circumstances, and to live with a cheerful heart each day.  When we do, we know that You will be faithful to Your promise to be with us and help us sort out whatever is needed in every situation. Amen 

So, let’s enjoy this day and bring enjoyment to others by being cheerful.  Have a great day.