Matthew 6:34 ESV
“Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.
If you’re looking for something to worry about, you don’t have to look very far.
All that is needed is to turn on any news network and you’ll within just a couple of minutes you’ll find the next reason why we should worry. Whether it’s COVID, the border, financial, concern about inflation, or the mounting debt, you’ll hear all about it in just a few minutes.
None of us is a stranger to trials and uncertain times. Every day has its worries. It’s easy to be consumed with worry and allow our own joy to be stolen.
Have Joy
One of the worst pieces of advice I’ve ever received in my life is “Don’t Worry”.
I laugh a little in my head when I hear those words. I’m sure those that I’ve received that advice from had the best of intentions but is it realistic or even possible? Now, I get it! There’s a difference between worry and concern and having the right amount of concern for the right things can be helpful. Concern can help us to take action on things that are under our control. Worry on the other hand can steal our joy. We must be careful to hold tight to our joy in the face of worry.
Laughter has Power
I often hear that we can learn a lot by watching children. The best example is “happiness”. Isn’t it amazing just how quickly they can forgive each other and return to playing and laughing together? Studies have shown that the average 4-year-old laughs around 300 times daily. On the other hand, the average 40-year-old only laughs around 4 times a day.
Funny or Not
Even if you’re not funny yourself, you can benefit from laughter by surrounding yourself with others who have a good sense of humor.
We’ve all heard that it takes more muscles to frown than it does to smile.
Smiling at and/or complimenting someone else can release neurotransmitters that elicit positive, unifying feelings. In today’s world which seems more divided than ever, this may not always be an easy thing to do but it’s surely worth it.