A cheerful heart is good medicine,
but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.
Proverbs 17:22
There is a common saying that when life throws lemons at you; just smile and make lemonades. Many people find it difficult to smile and only believe that you should smile when things are going very well; nice and smooth. A part of life is the fact that challenging situations will always arise; usually unpleasant but these challenges often come to strengthen us. The question is – what do we do in the period of the challenges, the time between the trial and the answer to our prayers? A lot of people adopt a very common approach which is to worry but worrying helps no one; instead, it adds to the already existing problem. Apart from the fact that worrying in itself is a sin, because God categorically has asked us not to, it is also a significant cause of many health and mental related issues which a lot of people face today. The irony of worrying is that it compounds and adds to the very problem we are indeed thinking about. James 1:2 says “Consider it nothing but joy, my [a]brothers and sisters, whenever you fall into various trials.”
Imagine getting a news that you didn’t pass that exam you studied so hard for; you didn’t get called for that job you were really hoping for, you didn’t get married at the time you thought you would, or you didn’t get that business you bid so hard for. Guess what; you don’t need to worry. And above all, God is aware! Continue to pray without ceasing and after that; cap it all with a nice, warm, beautiful smile as though you already received your miracle. Who knows, your cheerfulness might just be the trick that solves the puzzle you’re in. There is a high tendency to exhibit acts of kindness when you are cheerful; you never know, your smile or kindness could brighten someone’s day or give hope to someone. Many have lost good opportunities just because of a mean face. Some grumpy sales persons have lost customers because of a bad attitude, while others have gained more customers not necessarily because they had great products, but because they made their customers feel special and warm.
Make a conscious effort to smile this week and have a cheerful spirit. It’s the best accessory you could ever wear eve when you don’t feel like it. The joy of the Lord is your strength and will give you the grace to pull through every situation. It doesn’t matter if people around you are wondering how you can be happy in a bad situation. Just exercise your faith and confuse the devil.
P.S Smiling makes you look younger. J
Stay Blessed
Fisayo Talabi