Our Facial Expressions Influence Our Feelings

Research has been done which suggests our facial expressions will influence how we actually feel.

This is somewhat counter intuitive because we tend to think feelings come first and then our facial expressions reflect our feelings. For example, if I feel sad then those feelings will result in a sad expression on my face.

This is not totally incorrect but the surprising finding is that it can work the other way, as well. In other words, if I intentionally put a sad expression on my face it will tend to result in sad feelings. Again, what can occur is the facial expression has an influence on the feelings rather than the feelings being reflected in the facial expressions.

“This experiment, and others like it, show that our facial expressions have as much effect on our feelings as our feelings have on our facial expressions.” From the book “Lift” by Prof. Ryan Quinn and Prof. Robert Quinn.

The findings of some of the research which has been done tells us that if we will intentionally put a smile on our faces we will tend to feel happier.

You might say, “Well la dee da, Cheerful Charlie! Guess what? I don’t want to smile and feel happy! Okay, Mr. Ray-Of-Sunshine?!?”

I understand. I’ve had some days like that, too. But keep in mind: much… not ALL... but much of what we experience will be greatly influenced by the choices we make.

Today, I’m going to try to think about smiling a little more often, on purpose. Seriously. I realize I do not have total control over these matters, however, as far as it depends on me—with God’s help—I want to choose to be positive, encouraging, happy and joyful.

God Cries Tears of Sorrow

Jesus rides triumphantly into Jerusalem just a week before His crucifixion. You probably know the story. It’s a story of celebration and worship. It’s a story in which we see Jesus being recognized as King. He is honored and praised by the crowds. Everything about it seems good and positive and happy.

We typically tell the story on Palm Sunday. And we call it “Palm” Sunday because as Jesus was riding into Jerusalem crowds gathered and they threw their coats and other garments on the road ahead of him and they spread palm branches on the road, as well.

As Jesus was riding, the crowds were cheering and shouting, “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.” They are calling out “Hosanna!” which is an expression of praise and adoration and joy.

It is an incredible scene. The recognition of Jesus as Lord and the inclination to worship Him is so powerful that when some of the Pharisees complain about what is happening Jesus actually says, “If these people kept quiet, the stones along the road would burst into cheers!”

It is extraordinary.

But then the scriptures tell us as He gets a little bit closer to Jerusalem and He sees the city come into view something happens that—in light of what has been going on—seems sort of strange. Jesus looks at Jerusalem and all of a sudden he begins to cry.

Jesus is weeping.

What’s going on? This doesn’t seem like it is a moment in which sad tears would be shed. But reading from the book of Luke chapter 19, here is what Jesus says…  [He is, basically, saying this to the people of Jerusalem.]

“How I wish today that you of all people would understand the way to peace. But now it is too late, and peace is hidden from your eyes. Before long your enemies will build ramparts against your walls and encircle you and close in on you from every side.

“They will crush you into the ground, and your children with you. Your enemies will not leave a single stone in place, because you did not accept your opportunity for salvation.”

Luke 19:42-44

Jesus is heartbroken. These people—God’s people—had an opportunity. They could have responded to Jesus and the story would have been different. But they did not. And that makes Jesus said.

God cries tears of sorrow.

…Want to hear more?

If you are in the area I invite you to join us, Sunday, August 2nd, at:

First Church of God

4600 W. 111^th Street

Oak Lawn, IL

Services times: 9am and 11am

I know some of you who will read this post do not live in this area. If you are interested the rest of this message will be posted on the church website on Tuesday afternoon, August 4^th.

Website link:    http://visitusonline.org/scmedia.php?type=recent&loc=visitusonline.org/media/media/recent.php&

Does Shame Serve A Useful Purpose?

I have noticed that there are people who no longer feel shame when they’ve done something shameful.  In particular, I’ve noticed this among prominent people when they are caught doing something wrong. This inability to feel shame is not a good development.

Please understand, I am not in favor of laying guilt trips on people. I realize that guilt has been used in unfair ways to manipulate and control people.  This is not what I am advocating.

However, the feelings we experience actually serve a purpose.  Since it is genuinely possible for people to behave in shameful ways, it is not unreasonable for feelings of shame to accompany the shameful behavior.  In fact, we can even argue that feeling shame when we’ve done something wrong is normal.

Yes it’s true that feeling shame is unpleasant but, in a way, that’s the point.  It is possible for the unpleasant feeling of being ashamed to actually play a helpful role by influencing us not to repeat the shameful behavior.

If we reach a point as a society in which no one ever feels shame, even when they have behaved in shameful ways, we will find it is not going to be fun, free and wonderfully uninhibited, rather, it will be very dangerous.

We Have Some Measure of Self Control

Wise people keep in mind that even though feelings and emotions are powerful aspects of our life, with God’s help, we do have some measure of self control.  Therefore, we are not powerless in regard to how we respond to the feelings and emotions we experience.

Love Is A Conscious Decision

I read a “tweet” recently that said [paraphrase]: “love is a feeling it’s not something we decide to do.” I respectfully disagree. Love involves feelings, but true love also involves a conscious decision.  Feelings are erratic, they are up and down, it’s part of the nature of feelings.  If love was based solely on “feelings”, most loving relationships would be in deep trouble. We decide to love others because God loved us.

Real Love Involves Commitment

Modern culture often speaks of love in terms of feelings.  While it is true that love involves feelings—and feelings are a wonderful thing—real love must be rooted in something more dependable than feelings.  Real love involves commitment…it involves a commitment that is steadfastly maintained even as the feelings of the moment go up and down.,