Dr. E. Stanley Jones told of an experiment a hospital did on a dog. The little dog became somewhat of a mascot and befriended the staff; it wagged its tail each time one of the doctors or nurses spoke to it. An incision was made into the bone of the dog’s leg, revealing a healthy pink condition. Orders were then given for no one to speak to the dog. The small dog became miserable, feeling rejected. Then after a few days, another incision was made, and this time the interior of the bone was brown, dry and unhealthy. Then they did the opposite and paid attention to the dog. A third incision performed a few days later, and the bone tissue was pink and healthy.
Even a dog responded to the ancient truth found in Proverbs 17:22 “A merry heart does good like a medicine but a broken spirit drys up the bones.” So how can we have a happy, joyful life? I came across the saying sometime back that if practiced will release joy and happiness back into your life. “Keep your heart free from hate, your mind free from worry. Live simply, expect little, give much. Fill your life with love, scatter sunshine. Forget self, think of others, and do as you would be done by”.
The Bible is not a book on severity and gloom but joy, goodness, and laughter. The first miracle Jesus did was at a wedding feast, a celebration and it was turning water into wine. Wine represents joy! Think with me a minute on what joy the Lord must have had as He created the world with all of its exotic flowers, colorful birds, all the enormous varieties of animals and fish. The star-spangled heavens, the autumn colors and the snow of winter. The lakes, ocean, mountains, etc.… Nothing is black and white, but everything is fully alive and vibrant.
When the angel announced the birth of Jesus “I bring you good tidings of great joy” joy to the world our savior is born! Joy and happiness are all around us! Don’t live without them.
For a whole lot more download my series “Moving life Forward.”
