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Proverbs 17:22 – A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones. (NIV)
Not long ago, my sister and I had a lot of fun using the photo booth software on her Mac computer. This program allowed us to take pictures with special effects that can turn our faces into the most ridiculous-looking images. Our photos were extremely hilarious, stimulating a lot of laughter and good cheer! I cannot remember a time in recent days when I laughed as hard; in fact, I'm still laughing now, even as I write.
Amazingly, there have been numerous scientific studies demonstrating the medical benefits of laughter. One such report is filed on WEB MD which documents how moods affect the immune system, thereby having an impact on our physical health. Like other research, this particular study found that laughter has a role in fighting many diseases because it has the ability to greatly reduce stress by changing the chemistry of the brain.
I am inclined to believe what these reports suggest, since today's Scripture also indicates the same principle.
Though I seriously doubt that any of us can be cheerful all the time, the Bible and science seem to agree that the more humour we find in our everyday lives, the fewer health problems we will likely experience. Therefore, we can conclude that God has a prescription plan for our wellbeing that is easy to swallow. Try a spoonful of cheer at least once a day and call on the Master Physician at any hour; He is always available to meet our needs. In addition, let's keep a daily log, then note how a cheerful heart makes a significant difference in our life.
Prayer: Lord, enable us to follow the excellent counsel of Your Word so that we may acquire cheerful attitudes in our daily living. Grant us a good-natured spirit that will attract others, allowing us to spread the joy and peace of Your kingdom to those around us. This we ask through Jesus Christ our Lord, and for His name's sake, we pray. Amen.
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Tuesday, October 15, 2024 – In Paris, Ontario — Pray for the fall Alpha series that is running at Paris Community Church, Paris, Ontario, that through this ministry, people may be better connected with one another and take a step closer in faith to Jesus.
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Good medicine Lori.
Thanks for an uplifting devotional. It really works!
Good devotional Lori and so true! A laugh a minute, a friend of mine used to say. God bless you my friend.
Good one Lori, Thank you.
May a little laughter live with you everyday.
Thank you Lori for sharing this and I agree whole heartily. A Pastor friend of ours always says, “if you’re going to laugh about it in years to come you may as well laugh about it today.”
Dear Lori,
Your devotional brings to mind one of my friends who suggested that we should laugh at every meal to promote well-being. We don’t always follow through. However, when we do we feel better about ourselves and others. Thanks for your encouragement. God bless you.
Thank you for A SPOONFUL OF CHEER!
Best medicine in the midst of trials.
There is much in just one spoonful of joy and peace.
Thanks for bringing the great name of God to our day.
And the Joy of the LORD to our heart.
Lori,
Nice devotional, really means a lot for me. My journey with cancer taught me a lot about attitude and health. Two slogans that I held onto through my “test” were:
“I have cancer but cancer does not have me” and “faith is like a muscle, the more you use it the stronger it gets.”
Thanks for all you do, your writing is wonderful.
Your message of laughter and health is a good reminder for me today. So many around me are not exactly laughing usually and it does drain my spirit and low and behold my health. I always get a lift when I go to a good, clean, funny movie or an attempt at humour. It is true — life can be hard but again it is cup half full or half empty view on things, isn’t it.
(Ontario, Canada)
Hi Lori,
Your devotional was quite timely for me while I sweat out the wait for surgery. I have found many reassuring passages in Scripture that have boosted my spirits, and working on my books for shut-ins also tends to keep my mind off my condition. Even in the board game of Scrabble I suspect my wife is allowing me to win the odd game to bolster me up. But the one scripture that I hold dearest is that all-encompassing verse 8 in Psalm 138 “The Lord will perfect that which concerns me. Thy mercy, O Lord endures forever…”
Blessings.
Greetings Lori,
May FATHER rain down blessings upon you and yours.
Optimism — Goes hand and hand with what your devotional allows.
99.99{8395b6ce96fcf25a14d80edc3b65c36a8995b6c1ba5f8c16ac11d8adaa79f35b} of the time when asked, “how are you today?” I reply, optimistic… while observing the asker eyes. Their facial expressions vary but my explanations are variations of the same general explanation that your thoughts produce results accordingly. And that optimism will keep you close to pleasant future encounters with others and events.
I have practiced this for years and welcome others to practice the same. Regardless of how bad this world becomes I will remain optimistic, not that I hold my self above others, but I have the history of FATHER providing for those who take shelter under HIS wings spread wide for all. That history is my reminder that my faith is well founded.
That looking to FATHER, and HIS SON, JESUS will provide for any and all needs..in the bad times most especially.
Praying that generous FATHER continue to provide you with inspiration for your writings, abundant health, happiness with prosperity for you and your family.
(Texas)
Dear Lori:
Thank you for your devotional today.
I always appreciate how supportive they are. I find a good laugh is very uplifting, and enjoy every source from which they come.
Blessings to you and your husband, and I pray for good health for you both.
(BC)
Hi Lori,
That’s the best approach to life. Bing miserable does nothing but make bad situations worse. Hopefully I can be cheerful about the mountain of things I have to do today.
Blessings.