I enjoy shooting and viewing photos. I read recently that worldwide, humanity posts nearly 2 billion photos every day–which is over 700 billion a year. That statistic is for photos posted. Even more photos are are actually shot. Compare that to 85 billion photos that were shot in the entire year of 2000, just 20 years ago. Of all the types of photos taken, I enjoy portraits from every race, nation, culture, and tribe. Portraits of people smiling especially warm my heart. Somehow I am a little happier because they seem happy. I feel the same way when I hear babies giggling, children merrily playing, or people laughing.
We should share the joy we have even if it is as brief or as simple as a smile. If you are a dog lover here is my advice in canine terms, wag more and bark less. When you choose to rejoice it improves your attitude, your experiences, and your relationships. It benefits you and uplifts others.
You might find it easy to share your joy when things are going well, but how can you do this if you don’t feel happy? Good question. You are bound to experience seasons of stress, sorrow, sadness, and suffering. Although you should allow those to shape you, you don’t need to dwell on them to the point that they defeat or define you. If you trust and obey God you can have joyful victory amidst life’s challenges. Rely on God to sustain you in those painful seasons. Then in his perfect timing and design he will show you how he faithfully redeems the bad for good. So although there is happiness and sorrow in life’s experiences, don’t look for your abiding joy there. Instead find your joy in God and be content with his guiding and redeeming of your circumstances and relationships. Then out of your love for him and his love for you, let his joy overflow from your heart to benefit those around you.
Here are a few practical tips that can help cultivate a contagious joy. Seek to draw closer to God through worship, trust, and obedience. Thank him for his many blessings. As your relationship deepens ask for his joy to permeate your life. Laugh each day. Write down a positive thought, favorable memory, or inspiring quote. Take a break from work. Explore an interest. Revel in life’s wonders. Give to someone in need. Celebrate special moments. Surround yourself with motivated, enthusiastic people who rejoice, laugh, and hope.
When you look in the mirror, what portrait do you see? Do you see someone worried—worn down by life’s challenges and concerned with just getting by? Do you see someone beaming—capable, self-reliant, and concerned with forging a way in life? Do you see someone bashful, bitter, or burned with little to offer? Perhaps you see someone proud—confident, charismatic, yet preoccupied with oneself. Do you see someone handicapped in the future due to a crippling past? Or maybe you see someone smiling, eager to make a positive difference.
God sees you as his beautiful creation and wants to restore your brokenness through Jesus. Give your concerns to God. Let him help you resolve them. Then follow his lead as he works through your smile, your laughter, and your cheerful care to brighten your life and those around you in simple and profound ways.