Tag: gladness

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 Quality That Makes Us Excited For Hard Times

Wednesday’s Column: Third’s Words

Gary III

Gary Pollard

Joy is something we’re supposed to have when we go through trials (Jas. 1.3). It’s χαρά, which means, “to experience gladness.” It describes a forward-thinking mentality that says, “Right now isn’t great, but I can learn from this and grow.” Our joy comes from anticipating the ultimate growth we experience from conquering trials! And if those trials take my life, that joy is in anticipation of heaven. 

Joy is something experienced in heaven and in the presence of angels when someone repents (Luke 15.7, 10). It is compared to the excitement one feels when regaining something valuable that had been lost. Joy is more than just contentment;  it contains also an element of excitement. 

Joy is a fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5.22). It is contrasted with outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions, etc. A part of living the Christian life, denying our primal desires, and not being boastful is having joy. Sometimes we find ourselves focusing on what we give up to live faithful lives, but we forget that Christianity provides for, encourages, and promotes excitement and joy! 

So what are we supposed to be excited for? Paul even had joy in the face of suffering (Phil. 2.17). Joy and happiness are not necessarily the same thing. We can have joy or gladness or excitement concerning the life that waits for a Christian while living in the sometimes harsh realities of a fallen world. 

In this life, Christians can have joy because of a profound sense of purpose, having meaning in a confusing world, healing after tragedy, and something to always look forward to. 

It may not be our first response to be excited about hard times, but if we develop a mindset that looks to the rewards and positives of difficulty (growth, endurance, empathy, perspective, heaven), we will have joy and excitement. 

Carl and Chip