“The best way to cheer yourself up is to try and cheer somebody else up.”
Mark Twain
We can get so inward-focused, can’t we? If we’re not feeling right, if we get caught up in the world’s drama, we can get find ourselves in a downward spiral of doom and gloom. How do we get out of a deep funk? Cheer someone else up!
Negative emotions can tempt us to be stingy with our time and resources. But giving what we would like to others can make a big difference for ourselves. After all, it’s one of the cures for anxiety.
- If you feel sad, bring cheer to another
- If you are discouraged, encourage another
- If you are fearful, speak faith to another
- If you long for positivity, be reassuring to another
There are many other ways to bring yourself cheer. But offering cheer to others is great because it helps others as well. We can all use a good dose of encouragement from time to time. Just as negative comments can infect a room, positive, encouraging words can do the same.
However, we must be careful to be considerate of others. This proverb reminds me how our efforts can backfire if we are emotionally aware of others.
“Singing cheerful songs to a person with a heavy heart
Proverbs 25:20 (NLT)
is like taking someone’s coat in cold weather
or pouring vinegar in a wound.“
Ouch! There are times when we need to be sensitive to what a person is going through. When tragedy strikes, when a person is in mourning over a loss, they may not be ready for a cheerful song or a bout of silliness. We must be aware enough to know the appropriate time to cheer another up and when to offer comfort. This sensitivity can make a big difference!
We truly do reap what we sow. Give what you would like to receive. You might be amazed at your return on your investment.
“Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”
Luke 6:38 (NIV)
