Smile more, it’s good for you

My dentist said that I need a crown. I was like, “I know, right?

I like to start my posts with a joke, if I can. It grabs your attention and puts a smile on your face.

I had a person in the office next to mine who only came in on Wednesdays. He always had a smile on his face and a great disposition. So each Wednesday, I would go into his office first thing in the morning and tell him a joke. The cornier the better. When he left that position, I continued to email him a joke. He told me he has since shared it with his daughter, and told others about it as well. So now I have about 25 people on my Wednesday Joke List. My calling as an encourager is to bring a smile and a touch of joy to people’s day.

A smile is the best accessory because it goes with everything! It makes you feel confident and it is the first thing people notice about you.

Smiling is number two on the list of the 43 Habits of Absolutely Happy People. If you can turn smiling into a habit, then you can turn happiness into a habit. The fun thing about smiling is that it can trick your brain into making you happier. Smiling helps boost your immune system and reduces stress. The physical act of smiling causes a chemical reaction in your brain, which release dopamine and serotonin.

Smiling is infectious. If you spend time around a person who is happy and smiling, their mood elevates your mood, and the more people smile, the more infectious it becomes. I’m pretty sure that’s what “laughing baby” videos do too!

Some people bring happiness wherever they go and some people bring happiness whenever they go. Which one do you want to be?

According to science, when you smile, it causes what is known as a positive feedback loop in your brain, and this makes you happier as a result. The action of your facial muscles changing into a smile triggers a positive feedback loop in your brain, and this rewards you with positive feelings. So, it is possible to actually make yourself feel better and happier by forcing yourself to smile more. Science is pretty awesome sometimes, don’t you think? A study by Richard Wiseman, at the University of Hertfordshire in the U.K. states that “prosocial behaviors induce a cognitive dissonance—I feel unhappy, but I am acting happy!—which people resolve subconsciously by feeling happier. He calls it the As If Principle : If you want to feel a certain way, act as if you already do, and your brain will grant you that feeling.”

Another fun fact, kids smile 400 times a day. Adults 20 times. (We adults need to step up our game!) A study showed a smile can stimulate the brain the same as 2000 chocolate bars, without the calories. Even more reason to smile!

Now for the best smile of all. In the Bible, Jacob tricked his brother Esau out of his inheritance. After years of being separated, Jacob was finally returning home. He was afraid of what his brother’s response would be toward him. He brought great quantities of gifts, which he sent ahead to appease his brother. Esau told him they were not necessary. “But Jacob insisted, ‘No if I have found favor with you, please accept this gift from me. And what a relief to see your friendly smile. It is like seeing the face of God!’” (Gen. 33:10 [NLT])

That’s got the be the best smile ever! The smile of God!

“God smile upon you and gift you, God look you full in the face and make you prosper.” (Num. 6:25-26 [MSG])

“The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace. …” (Num. 6:24-26 [NIV])

The light of God’s smile would be like this. “Let your beaming face shine upon us with the sunshine rays of glory.” (Ps. 80:19 [TPT])

‘The “face of God” means the presence of God. When the face of God “shines upon His people,” that means that God takes pleasure in His people. Matthew Henry’s Commentary says, “This seems to allude to the smiles of a father upon his child.” The prayer here is not for the pleasure of any human face, but for the pleasure of God’s face, to know that God is looking on us, that God is pleased, that He is smiling on His people as a father smiles upon his child. We read in the book of Exodus that God spoke with Moses face to face, as a man speaks with his friend. It’s a sign of, “You’re welcome. Come into My presence. I welcome you to be here.” But I want to tell you, if you have the smile of God, you can survive the frowns or the rejection of any human beings. Now, that doesn’t mean it doesn’t matter. It doesn’t mean it doesn’t hurt, but ultimately, the pleasure we need to be seeking, the blessing we need to be seeking is the smile of God.’ (Revive Our Hearts—Jan 4, 2018)

Which brings me back to my agreeing with my dentist about deserving a crown. If God is blessing me with His smile, then, “Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.” (James 1:12 [NIV])

I want to be the person who brings happiness wherever I go, and not the person who brings happiness whenever I go. Because I am sweet, lovable, kind, shy, and innocent…oh for heaven’s sake, stop laughing!

As an adopted child of God, sister to King Jesus, I do see a crown in my future. And it will accessorize beautifully with my smile, as I share it with others.

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