Ron Hutchcraft Ministries - Happy Germs - #8212

Friday, February 20, 2009

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Don't you just love it when one of your coworkers comes in coughing and sneezing all over? Thank you for sharing, pal! There’s recent research that there are some happy germs that people spread around, too. One article said: "We can catch happiness from friends and family members like an emotional virus. The research shows that every happy person in your social network increases your own chance of cheer by 9% and those effects can last up to one year. When someone gets happy, that person's friend experiences a 25% increased chance of becoming happy, and at least two more friends will be affected—happy germs!

I’m Ron Hutchcraft, and what a fulfillment of what the Bible has said for 3,000 years, "The cheerful heart has a continual feast" (Proverbs 15:15 ). Joy really is contagious, which leads us to ask the question, "What am I spreading?" Do you bring the sun with you, or do you bring clouds?

Nehemiah was one of the Bible's amazing leaders. He motivated a demoralized team to an amazing accomplishment—the rebuilding of the devastated walls and gates of Jerusalem, against all odds. Here’s his secret from the Bible: "The joy of the Lord” he said, “is your strength" (Nehemiah 8:10 ). See, Nehemiah was a thermostat, not a thermometer. He set the temperature instead of just reflecting the temperature of the people or the situation around him. That's what every Jesus-follower is equipped to be—the thermostat who sets a temperature of God's joy; no complaining, no criticizing or trash talk…just positive.

I hope you’ll find some joyful encouragement at our website, and I’m going to invite you to check it out. It’s ALifeThatMatters.org.

Bible References: Proverbs 15:15 ; Nehemiah 8:10