“Life for you has been less than kind
So take a number, stand in line
We’ve all been sorry, we’ve all been hurt
But how we survive is what makes us who we are”

The band Rise Against hits the mark exactly on the spot in suffering. While working, I’ve found more than plenty of time to contemplate such things.

As most everyone knows, we live in hard and trying times. There will always be suffering and hurt at many points in our life. This is due to our fallen nature. Oftentimes it is fairly simple to thrive on the hurt by venting, contemplating on your lowliness (throwing a pity party), or by enjoying the fact that others are acknowledging your depression (pity party); sometimes making situations worse.

I’m not saying these –especially venting and letting out your feelings—are harmful things in and of themselves, but that God has given and always will give us many ways to continue on towards feeling better and therefore towards happiness through other means than things that may be even more harmful for ourselves. Many of God’s aids are extremely simple. Consider:

It takes more muscles to frown than to smile—the less fatigue the better you feel

Holding a smile (even when you don’t feel like it) releases chemicals in the brain that signal relaxation and a better feeling—Facial Feedback

Walking briskly, keeping your back erect, and swinging your arms does the very same thing to make you feel better—Bio Feedback.

A happier person makes a healthier person, literally. Depression greatly increases chances of cardiovascular problems and diseases.

It is obvious by the ways our body reacts to environments that God designed us for happiness. It’s hard, but how we survive is the very epitome of who we are.

Face the fact that, with God, we can face anything.