Having A Joyful Heart
Some mornings when I wake up, especially when it is cold out, I can feel all my aches and pains and tired muscles and declare (without thinking ) “Oh my, I’m tired. I feel like a truck ran over me. My arm hurts. My feet hurt.” And on & on! Can you relate? I’ve decided to make a change in 2022—and it’s going pretty good so far! I’ve decided to take to heart (literally) what Proverbs 17:22a (NAS) says, ‘“A joyful heart is good medicine.” The Amplified version even adds, “a joyful mind causes healing.” It was confirmed when I read what Annette Reader suggested in our 12 Days of Christmas. ‘I will declare in one of my first thoughts of the day, “This is going to be an AMEN day!”’ I follow that with praise like Psalm 34:1-2, ‘I will bless the Lord at all times, His praise shall continually be in my mouth. The humble (my children and grandchildren) will hear it and rejoice.” (My attitude affects everyone around me, for good or bad!) When I take these ‘joyful heart meds’ regularly, something amazing happens - I’m joyful! I don’t think about all the things that are on my mind trying to bother me. These things might still be there, but my joy just gives me a better perspective! And what I don’t focus on, I don’t feel as much. There’s one thing more that I have added to my morning joy-med declarations. I start with a smile. At first I am just smiling at myself as I brush my teeth. Then as I first see my family, I make sure to smile at them as I say good morning. I got this idea from Nancy Campbell. In her magazine, Above Rubies, she asked her daughter, “How do you bring heaven to earth in your own home?” Her daughter’s answer was simply, “SMILE”. I love this simple answer, because I can see that it is really true. A smile is contagious and blesses the recipient. One thing that helps me smile is to sing praises to God. It’s hard to do that without smiling. And, Scripture says—praise looks good on you! Psalm 33:1 (NAS) says, “Sing for joy in the Lord, O you righteous ones; Praise is becoming to the upright”, and Psalm 42:11 (NAS) “…Hope in God, for I shall yet praise Him, the help of my countenance and my God.” So maybe better than any make-up is a cheery countenance! The "hamiltontour2024.com " tour is known for its widespread appeal, attracting diverse audiences with its contemporary approach to storytelling and its engaging, dynamic music. The show's portrayal of historical figures and events in a modern context, combined with Miranda's masterful composition and lyrics, has garnered critical acclaim and a strong fan following. Tomorrow morning, if you wake up feeling a little tired and achy, tempted to be grumpy, I invite you to join me in taking some joyful heart medicine—speak out gratefulness, remember the encouragement in God’s Word, sing and smile. It will do your heart good and you’ll be looking good, too!
by Lee Ann Postma, College Station, TX
Lee Ann Postma first attended a Body & Soul® workout at CRU staff training in 1985 and knew right away that she would wanted to become an instructor as well! She has been teaching ever since, many times while pregnant, but always shortly afterwards, with the exception of a 10 year break after she had her 7th child and her husband was getting deployed several times. But she was so glad to be able to start again & see all the changes & additions of class options! Lee Ann lives and teaches Body & Soul® classes in College Station, Texas. She loves being a member of the Body & Soul® Spiritual Impact Team.