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Weekly Devotions

Think Happy-October 14, 2024

Ever think about thinking happy? Here's how!

Monday Morning Devotion-October 14, 2024

Think Happy

This is the day the Lord has made.  Let us be glad and rejoice in it.  Psalm 118:24

*From June 28, 2021

           "Don't ever start the day in neutral.  You cannot wait to see what kind of a day it is going to be.  You have to decide what kind of day it's going to be."

            That's something to think about.  Joel Osteen, in his book, -Think Better, Live Better- writes "When you first get out of bed in the morning, before you check the news or the weather, you need to set your mind in the right direction.  (Tell yourself) 'This is going to be a great day.'  If you don't set your mind, the enemy will set it for you.  He will remind you of how bad you have it, how many mistakes you have made, and all the people who have come against you and on and on."

            In other words, put on that happy face.  I know.  Sometimes that's hard to do when you haven't slept well, or you have some problems that are bothering you.  But try it.  It might not be as hard as it seems.

Gray skies are gonna clear up,

Put on a happy face;

Brush off the clouds and cheer up,

Put on a happy face.

Take off the gloomy mask of tragedy,

It's not your style

You'll look so good that you'll be glad

Ya' decide to smile!

 

            Those are the lyrics to the song "Put on a Happy Face" sung in the movie "Bye Bye Birdie" by Dick Van Dyke and Janet Leigh.  The point here is if you think yourself into a happy attitude first thing in the morning, or anytime, you will find yourself smiling.   And when you are smiling then you will start thinking about things you have to be thankful for instead of getting bogged down by negativity.

            Then, as you go through your day you may discover more reasons to smile, even to laugh about.  And that's good.  The Mayo Clinic points out that a good laugh has great short-term effects.  Laughter can stimulate many organs because it enhances your intake of oxygen.  It can activate and relieve your stress response by increasing, then decreasing your heart rate and blood pressure.  And laughter can soothe tension thereby stimulating circulation and aiding in muscle relaxation.

            In its on-line newsletter the Mayo Clinic also points out the long-term effects of laughter. It can improve your immune system, relieve pain, increase personal satisfaction, and improve your mood. Wow!  I never knew a good laugh could do all of that.

            One good way to start off your morning would be to say out loud our scripture: Psalm 118:24 "This is the day the Lord has made.  We will rejoice and be glad in it."

            The Life Application Bible (LAB) shares this: "There are days when the last thing we want to do is rejoice.  Our mood is down, our situation is out of hand and our sorrow or guilt is overwhelming.  We can relate to the writers of the psalms who often felt this way.  But no matter how low the psalmists felt, they were always honest with God.  And as they talked to God, their prayers ended in praise.  When you don't feel like rejoicing, tell God how you truly feel.  You will find that God will give you a reason to rejoice.  God has given you this day to live and to serve Him---be glad."

            It is important to fill our minds with the right thoughts.  Right thinking can bring about positive actions.  Pastor Osteen puts it this way: "I've learned that if you fill your mind with the right thoughts, there won't be any room for the wrong thoughts.  When you go around constantly thinking, I'm strong.  I'm healthy.  I'm blessed.  I have the favor of God, then when the negative thoughts come knocking there will be a 'No Vacancy' sign.  'Sorry, no room for you.'  They won't be able to get in."

            Obviously in tough times it is going to be hard if not impossible to keep those negative thoughts at bay.  We can't just be happy-go-lucky pretenders that they don't exist.  Osteen is just pointing out the importance of not dwelling on them.  Don't let them consume you to the point that they are all you think and talk about.  Learn to put things in perspective and by starting your day with the determination that it's going to be a good day, before those negative, often irrational, thoughts try to ruin your day before it even gets started.

            He points out the story in scripture when Jesus was on his way to pray for a person who was very sick.  He kept getting delayed and finally people from the sick person's house came and said: "Tell Jesus, He doesn't need to come any longer it's too late."  The person had already died.

            The scripture said that Jesus, "overhearing, but ignoring the negative report didn't let it take root.  He didn't meditate on it.  He didn't get discouraged.  He didn't turn around and go back home.  He didn't deny that the report was true or pretend the person had not died.

            Jesus knew that people don't have the final say.  God has the final say.  Sometimes in order to stay in faith you have to ignore a negative report.  You have to ignore what somebody said about you.  You have to ignore what your own thoughts are telling you.  You may hear it, but you do like Jesus and choose not to dwell on it. "

            The key is what's going on in your own thought life.  Are you going to let those negative self-defeating thoughts crowd into your mind upon waking in the morning?  Or are you going to put a halt and replace them with positive things?

            You decide what kind of a day you are going to have.  Think happy!

 

Prayer:  Lord, we want to let your goodness be a priority in our lives so help us start our day by deciding to think happy!   Amen!

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