“Laugh More!”

Day 5 of 14 days of Joy filled with God.

In his book THE 100 SIMPLE SECRETS OF HAPPY PEOPLE, David Niven talks about happiness being a laughing matter. The Bible has known this secret for years already – things always go badly for someone who is depressed, while a joyful person’s whole life is not only a feast, but they also have the advantage of being a healthy person, says the writer of Proverbs.

It has been scientifically proven that laughter is good for your health. The more you laugh, the less you will need to see a doctor, because when you laugh, the same hormones are released in your body that are prescribed by doctors for stress and depression. “The ability to laugh, whether at life itself or at a good joke, is a source of life satisfaction. Indeed, those who enjoy silly humor are one-third more likely to feel happy,” asserts Niven.

Make a point of laughing more; of noticing the comic things in life and telling them to others. Collect jokes and comic strips and put them on your fridge; remember the funniest things your grandchildren have said and retell them with relish. In this way you will not only laugh more and be healthier, but other people will laugh together with you and be healthier too!

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, thank You that You created people in such a way that we can see the funny things in life and laugh about them. Help me to discover the humor in every situation. Amen.

The content for this devotional was taken from: “Where Hope Blossoms” by Nina Smit ©Christian Art Publishers.

“The Source of Your Joy”

Day 4 of Joy filled days with God.

If God is not the source of your joy, you will never truly know what happiness is. Only if you belong to Him will you experience unconditional joy in your life, because without Him there can be no happiness.

With Jesus as the main source of your happiness, it is possible to approach each day with joy and to solve each crisis with joy. You will be able to live with joy even though others might not see anything in your life over which to rejoice. The joy that God gives stands completely alone from all other things: it is joy in spite of…

In spite of your negative circumstances you will be able to bubble over with joy, because your joy is not dependent on your physical circumstances but is anchored in a Person with whom you have a living relationship.

PRAYER: Lord Jesus, I praise You as the source of my joy. You make it possible for me to be happy in all circumstances. Thank You that You brought about my reconciliation with God. Amen.

The content for this devotional was taken from: “Where Hope Blossoms” by Nina Smit ©Christian Art Publishers.

“The Recipe for Happiness”

Day 3 of 14 Days of Joy filled days with God.

Despite the fact that Israel repeatedly strayed from God, He was always willing to accept them again. In this Scripture passage the prophet Hosea implores the people to repent; to return to God. But he also makes it clear that if they decide to do so their lives will have to undergo a radical change.

Yesterday we spoke about repentance and conversion. But repentance alone is not sufficient. People who repent need three things to be happy, according to the prophet Hosea: firstly, they have to be willing to return to God; secondly, they should love Him and obey His commands; and thirdly, they should always wait for Him and put their faith in Him.

If you have turned to the Lord, you will also have to be willing to allow Him to change your life. You need to love Him and obey Him. You must also put your hope and trust in Him: this means that you will have positive prospects for tomorrow and the day after, because you belong to God.

Do you want to choose today to follow Hosea’s recipe for happiness? Look at the Lord with new eyes, realize how great His love for you is, make sure of what the Lord asks of you in His commandments, and put your hope in Him.

PRAYER: Lord, I want to make a u-turn back to You. Help me to love You, to be obedient to You, and to put my hope in You. Amen.

The content for this devotional was taken from: “Where Hope Blossoms” by Nina Smit ©Christian Art Publishers.