A Merry Heart

      I was researching the best foods for good health during the night-time hours when I could not sleep, and while doing so, remembered the best medicine for good health, and it is given to us in Proverbs 17:22, "A merry heart doth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones."  According to this verse, maybe the best thing we can do for good health is to have a jolly whole-hearted laugh every day.

     I truly believe laughter is good for the soul.  My neighbor and I talk a lot, from time to time, about joy vs happiness and how joy creates laughter even in the worst of time.  We both agree that joy is inner felt, and it shows in people's lives.  In fact, Mr. Jim found and purchased an old plaque from a good-will store that said, "If you're happy and you know it, say Amen!"  He wanted the rest of the lyrics added, so I helped him add "clap your hands, stomp your feet, and your face will surely show it."  He attached it to the outside wall of his garage entry as a reminder to put a smile on his face and to sing and shout, "Amen."  I thought this was a neat idea. 

     Now, back to the foods for good health. I found a chart which shows foods that look like the body parts they benefit. To name a few: Celery looks like the bones,  kidney beans like the kidney, ginger like the stomach, a sweet potato like the pancreas, a sliced carrot like the eye, etc. There were other charts and the one below does not show them all.  I am not sure there was one regarding the thyroid which is butterfly shaped, but if you look at both sides, it looks like the Brazil nut which I have read is good that that body part.  I find God's "healthy" humor interesting.  Here again, enough to give us a jolly laugh! So, laugh-out-loud. 

Beatitudes

     For my retirement days I made a bucket list, not only of places I would like to see and do, but also a daily list of goals.   They are:

1.      Spend time with my Savior

2.      Do something for myself

3.      Do something for someone else

4.      Accomplish at least one thing. 

    Sounds simple, but as most of us know, it is often hard to reflect back on the day and see what we really accomplished or if there was a purpose for the day.   

     When I was reading my “In Touch” devotional this morning I found some examples the writer gave which I thought would be helpful.  The devotional for the day was actually applying these in terms of the One who never changes and teaching about God’s nature with five examples:

     1.  Jesus forgave others.  He showed mercy, not judgment.  The example was the woman at the well.

     2. Jesus comforted the hurting as shown by his visit with Mary and Martha when they were mourning the loss of their brother.

     3. Jesus provided for needs.  We all remember how he fed the 4000 followers instead of sending them away hungry.

     4.  Jesus interceded for His disciples.  The example was how He asked the Father to protect and sanctify His followers just before He was crucified.  

     5.  Jesus strenthened believers and gave them power to do God's work. 

 

     So how can I use these to help me with my daily goals?  Maybe, the good deed for someone else could simply be to forgive someone or pray for someone.  I could offer comfort by just taking time to visit them, call them on the phone, or even attend a funeral.  I could provide for needs by baking a cake or use the example of my neighbor who fries extra fish to take a meal to another neighbor or friend. 

     What about bestowing power to do God’s work?   I am not supernatural, but I can pray to the One who is All Power.  I can pray for God to strengthen a friend or family member in need.  I can pray for a blessing where a blessing is needed.  I can strengthen my children and grandchildren by teaching them God’s love and by showing them an example of Christian living.   

     As far as accomplishing a project or talking with God, it may be as simple as turning off the television set, the computer, or smart phone and getting off that couch or out of the recliner long enough to have extra time to get the job done.   
     Probable the easiest goal would be doing something good for myself.  I believe nothing does a soul better than enjoyment and a good laugh, even if it is at myself.   

Proverbs 15:13  A merry heart maketh a cheerful countenance…

Proverbs 15:15  … but he that is of a merry heart hath a continual feast.

Proverbs 17:22  A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: … 

     In ending, let me just say that I thank God for the career I have just completed, and I thank Him for the opportunity for a new vision that will be pleasing to Him.   I pray I catch His vision for my life, and I believe it just may just stem from what I call the Beatitudes or as another author, Robert H. Schuller, called them, "The Be-Happy Attitudes" found in Matthew 5:  

² And he opened his mouth, and taught them, saying,
³ Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
⁴ Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.
⁵ Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.
⁶ Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.
⁷ Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.
⁸ Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.
⁹ Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.
¹⁰ Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
¹¹ Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.
¹² Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.
¹³ Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.
¹⁴ Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.
¹⁵ Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.
¹⁶ Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. 

Staying Positive In A Negative World

     Have you ever gotten up in a really good mood only to go to work and be brought down by someone with a negative outlook? I mean, you smile and cheerfully say “hello,” only to be met with a grumpy unsmiling response. Suddenly, your mood has changed. Or you went to work and your co-worker started in on all the unpleasant changes taking place. Did that cause a change in your outlook or attitude about your job? Did your joy disappear?

     So just how do we stay positive and joyful in a negative world? How do we keep from being the grumpy person, ourselves, taking someone else’s joy away?
     First, we need to figure out what has created our grumpiness. Maybe, it is not being satisfied with what we have. We have not learned to be content. Maybe it is unforgiveness, financial problems, sickness, injury, or death of a loved one. The list could go on and on.
     Regardless of the reason, we all have choices on how we handle life’s events.
     Number one, I do not have to have a bad day just because someone else chooses to have one. I can be there for a friend, to listen and help, but as an on-going drama I do not have to get involved.
     Next, life is too short to let unforgiveness rob me of my joy. We have to realize that to harbor ill-will against someone else only hurts us. I firmly believe that unforgiveness prevents the Holy Spirit from working in our lives to give us complete joy. What is the loss of pride to make amends compared to the gain of a joyful heart?
     If the problem is financial, maybe we can manage to change our outlook on the way we choose to spend money and be willing to take some conservative measures.
     If the problem is changes at work, and those changes are out of our control, maybe it is time to be thankful we have a job, that is, if we truly enjoy the place where we work. If it is a job that we wake up every single morning and dread, it might be time to look for one that can provide a more rewarding experience. Again, life is too short not to enjoy what we do on a daily basis.
     Whatever the reason, I have to go back to “choices.” We have to choose to be joyful. We have to want to be cheerful. We have to want to wear a smile. We have to want to be friendly toward others. We should grasp every moment and strive to be positive and happy.
     When it comes right down to it, to stay positive in a negative world means we have to count our blessings. We will all have sorrow and trouble, but I believe how we choose to handle it will determine our joy. Proverbs 14:13 says, “Even in laughter the heart is sorrowful; and the end of that mirth is heaviness.” What keeps the laughter in my heart is faith and belief in God’s Word and His promises. Hebrews 13:5 gives us words to live by and a promise, “Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have; for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.”
     In my weak moments and times of trials, I strive to remember Isaiah 40:31, “They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary, and they shall walk, and not be faint.”
     Knowing God is always with me gives me hope and joy! “…Be of good courage.” Strive to smile and laugh more. “A merry heart maketh a cheerful countenance.”