Life can be crazy. The world doesn't always make sense. Shout out to those riding the waves and staying afloat by keeping the faith and a sense of humor, and still trying to do their best.
Hebrews 10:23
Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful;
Philippians 3:14 I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.
Abraham pressed on to receive the “son of promise;” Ruth pressed on to know the True and Living God that positioned her to be in the lineage of the Lord Jesus Christ; Mary of Bethany pressed on by choosing to sit at the feet of Jesus, thereby, being prepared for His upcoming death; and many, many more testify of the perseverance of the saints. But the ultimate demonstration of perseverance was our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ who pressed all the way to Calvary for you and I. Oh what LOVE!!
A familiar hymn says: I’m pressing on the upward way, new heights I’m gaining every day; still praying as I onward bound, “Lord ,plant my feet on higher ground.” The chorus says: “Lord, lift me up, and I shall stand by faith on heaven’s tableland; A higher plane than I have found, Lord plant my feet my higher ground.”
Prayer: No matter what Lord, help me to keep PRESSING!! When I get weak, Lord help me to keep PRESSING!! Until You come or call me home, just help me to keep PRESSING!!
When we're struggling to get through difficult situations it's natural to use laughter as a coping mechanism.
Humor is a free and effective way to soothe ourselves. Being able to laugh during all the uncertainty and loss, creates a powerful mental health ‘safety net’ that helps to cultivate resilience and courage.
There are good reasons bouts of belly-laughter feel so good - they produce profoundly beneficial effects. Pragmatically speaking, laughter heals by causing your diaphragm - the large transverse muscle that provides your lungs their bellow motion - to contract and release rhythmically until all the tension you’ve been holding in your solar plexus, dissolves.
The Science Behind Laughter
You know you feel better within seconds after a hearty laugh. Why? Because laughter reverses hormonal changes brought on by cortisol and other stress-related chemicals. It activates the secretion of endorphins, serotonin, and dopamine—the body’s natural painkillers—and you feel better in minutes. Scientists say that laughter gives your body some of the same benefits as moderate physical exercise. Studies show that laughing—even fake laughing—for just one minute a day dampens stress, eases pain, lowers blood pressure, stokes your immune system, and brightens your mental outlook.
The same is true with smiling. Facial expression influences your emotions by triggering specific neurotransmitters, the brain’s chemical messengers. When you frown, you feel bad not just because it reflects how you feel, but the facial expression contributes to how you feel. In the same way, a smile makes you feel happier. Pasting a smile on your face—even if you’re not feeling it at first—raises your mood and reduces stress.
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