Being Infectious!

Germs. They are all around us. Therefore we often see or hear reminders to wash our hands. Though we were once encouraged to cover our mouths when we coughed or sneezed, now we are being told to do so into our sleeve to guard against our hands passing on germs to others through everything else we touch. Some people with poor immune systems have to be very careful and some germs are more infectious than others. However, even though we try to eat healthily, keep from getting chilled, or are very careful about sanitizing our hands, dishes, and food preparation surfaces, there is no guarantee that we won’t catch something.

If we can choose what we will be a carrier of and what we might infect others with, let it be a spirit of JOY. Our attitude in the way we go about daily tasks, the manner in which we interact with others, and the smiles and simple kindness we do along the way each day -- all have great potential to make a difference in another’s outlook on life. I was reminded of this not long ago when on a rainy day I (on an impulse) offered my umbrella to a woman and her two children who were walking the opposite direction I was going. Though she did not accept it from me, saying they were fine, the next day I encountered the woman again and she thanked me once more for having offered the umbrella, stating she was thankful her son had witnessed it to see that there are still decent people in this world.

We may not know the struggles being experienced by those we encounter, but living to serve and reveal how Christians have something to be JOYFUL about all the time, can become infectious in our encounters with others. Genuine JOY can be extremely powerful!

Solomon noted…
“A JOYFUL HEART IS GOOD MEDICINE, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.” ( Proverbs 17:22 ESV)

Possessing a JOYFUL HEART will be good for ourselves, but it can also be infectious with those with whom we come into contact. Such a disposition can cause those around us to wonder why we can have such a JOYFUL spirit and we may have the opportunity to share how the blessings we have received in Christ bring a JOY that continues in spite of the challenges that life may present. May the genuine JOY of our salvation be evident all along life’s way.

Have a great day SPREADING THE GERM OF A GODLY JOY!
Carl

See other teEn-MAIL on Joy