Tag: deliberate

The Power of Forced Happiness

Dale Pollard

There’s plenty of evidence that shows the connection between your facial expression and your overall mood—for better or worse. If you’re feeling down, forcing a smile can churn up the brain’s happy juice (Aultman Hospital, “How Smiling Affects Your Brain”). With information that valuable, it shouldn’t surprise us that the Bible gives us so much insight on the concept.

Gladness is a state that can be entered. It’s a choice that can be difficult to make at times, but God points out that it’s still a personal decision.

“Serve the Lord with gladness, come before Him with joyful songs” (Ps. 100.2).

Even if you don’t feel glad, you can enter a state of gladness. Thankfully, it’s contagious. Have you ever felt better because of somebody else’s cheerfulness? God designed it that way.

“The light of the eyes rejoices the heart” (Prov. 15.30).

If you choose to “act happy” your brain will follow—and so will others. The Bible treats the eyes, face, and heart as one system, not different compartments.

If you need some happy pills, “a joyful heart is good medicine” (Prov. 17.22).

If you’re down in the dumps, “A glad heart makes a cheerful face…” (Prov. 15.13).

Humans don’t work this way because of “millions of years of evolution.” Our brains and heart operate like this because our Designer told us as much.

The Good, The Bad, & The Lucky

Tuesday’s Column: Dale Mail

Dale Pollard

In 1951, two to three miles off the coast of Point Reyes, California, a military plane went down after battling faulty electrical issues and then eventually running out of fuel. The plane made a crash landing in the ocean and to make matters a little more terrifying, it was a Great White shark haven. There was one Army service man who managed to escape the aircraft, but once in the water he had no idea where to go. It was in the early morning and the fog was too thick to see through. Knowing he had to do something, he simply chose a direction and began to swim. After a couple of miles of swimming he finally, to his relief, reached land. Later on in life he’d go on to become the star of several Hollywood movies, direct his own movies, and even star in movies that he himself directed! His name was Clint Eastwood. 

He got lucky. Occasionally, that happens in life. We flip a coin, spin a bottle, or make a random turn and it all ends up working out in the end. Accidental fortune might happen in some areas of life, but not when it comes to our spiritual lives. There won’t be anyone in heaven who says, “I have no idea how I got here. I just randomly went through life and made the right choices, I guess!”

 If we’re looking for a deeper faith, a closer walk with God, or directions along the narrow way, we’ll have to be intentional about that. 

Psalm 25:5 reminds us that not only does God guide us into all truth, but that this is a path that must be taught.