Today I am so thrilled to have Wendy Gunn from Your Home for God as a guest. Wendy has such wisdom and advice to share with us.
Your Amazing Magic Skill by Wendy Gunn
How a Simple Skill Will Guarantee Smiling Children
Do you wish for a more joyful home and family? Do your children complain and bicker? Would you love to have happy, obedient children? And see smiles on your family’s faces?
What if you had the power to turn your home and family from sour to sweet?
When I was raising our children, I remember one day I walked into the bathroom, looked in the mirror, and was appalled! I immediately smiled at myself, without thinking, and then my heart was chagrined to think that my children had been seeing their mama look at them like that. How much would change if we smiled?
Here are some facts about that magic skill you have that can powerfully transform the people around you (and yourself)!
Did you know:
· According to various studies, smiling is considered contagious.
· Smiling activates the release of neuropeptides, neurotransmitters dopamine, endorphins, and serotonin, which decrease stress levels, relax the body, lower heart rate, and blood pressure, and serve as an antidepressant/mood lifter.
· Children smile as many as 400 times a day!
· Babies smile even in the womb.
Proverbs 17:22—"A merry heart doeth good like a medicine…”
Proverbs 15:13—"A merry heart maketh a cheerful countenance…”
I Smile Therefore I’m Happy
You may be thinking, “I don’t feel like smiling.” “My kids’ behavior doesn’t call for a smile.” “If you had my life, you wouldn’t smile, either.”
I want to ask you, “Which comes first, the chicken or the egg?”
Studies have shown that a smile is beneficial to your health and affects your mood. Unlike the coffee shop, gym, or shopping excursion, it’s free!
Did you grow up in a home where you received smiles? Who do you want to please, the person who smiles at you, or the person who looks at you with disappointment on their face all the time? Your children may not be able to express it, but they’d do just about anything for your smile.
A Grateful Countenance
Is it possible that a smile isn’t the result of happiness, but may be the cause of it?
What does the Word of God say about this? A heart of gratitude is God's will for us. (1 Thessalonians 5:18) Gratitude will transform our parenting, homes, and put a smile on our faces. Let’s begin to cultivate a heart of gratitude, and not wait for emotional happiness! Then, I believe we can develop the habit of wearing a cheerful expression that is genuine, from the heart.
When we obey Philippians 4:8 and think on what is true, honest, pure, of good report, and worthy of praise, our thoughts will overflow into our hearts, producing thankfulness, which will, in turn, change our countenance: our eyes and mouth will reflect our heart!
There is scientific evidence to indicate that you can also work backward, and your smile will affect your heart! I believe God would have us do both at the same time!
Practice wearing a facial expression that is pleasant, happy even, and see if it doesn’t make a difference! Here are some reasons why.
Observations I’ve Made About Smiling
It’s difficult to complain while smiling!
It’s hard to be unhappy for long while smiling!
Others around you will smile when you smile, and that makes you smile more!
Begin the Habit of Smiling:
1. Think of all the Lord has done for you: Read Psalm 34 and the last chapters of Psalms, especially Psalm 150!
2. Make a little folder in your brain of things that make you smile:
a) People you love
b) Flowers, gardens, trees or other scenery you love
c) The ocean or other places you enjoy visiting
d) Babies
e) Kittens and puppies
f) Funny experiences
g) Favorite foods
h) Happy memories
Store up memories that make you smile and start and end the day with gratitude. There is always something to be thankful for!
Take your thoughts captive and determine to think on those things that are lovely, praiseworthy, good, true, honest, of good report, as Philippians 4 commands! And let your mouth curve upward as you think of them!
Psalm 150 doesn’t indicate that you have to feel happy before you obey this command. But, maybe you’ll feel happier afterward if you read them to your children (who will easily memorize and recite these verses) daily! What facial expression do you think the Lord had in mind when He led the Psalmist to write these words?
Today, put on a smile!
Psalm 150: “Praise ye the Lord. Praise God in his sanctuary: praise him in the firmament of his power.
2 Praise him for his mighty acts: praise him according to his excellent greatness.
3 Praise him with the sound of the trumpet: praise him with the psaltery and harp.
4 Praise him with the timbrel and dance: praise him with stringed instruments and organs.
5 Praise him upon the loud cymbals: praise him upon the high sounding cymbals.
6 Let every thing that hath breath praise the Lord. Praise ye the Lord.”
Bio of Wendy Gunn | Your Home For God | www.yourhomeforgod.com
Wendy Gunn helps overwhelmed moms grow spiritually with joy in who God uniquely created them (and their families) to be, raise Godly children, and get their lives organized, for God’s glory, through Mentorship, Courses, and Coaching.
She blogs at Your Home For God (yourhomeforgod.com). Subscribe to connect with her and get Free Printable Scripture Cards for a more Christ-centered home and family.
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