Ellen DeGeneres, an American comedian and actress once remarked: “Now, I'm no scientist, but I know what endorphins are. They're tiny little magical elves that swim through your bloodstream and tell funny jokes to each other. When they reach your brain, you hear what they're saying and that boosts your health and happiness. "Knock Knock... Who's There?.. Little endorphin... Little endorphin who?... Little Endorphin Annie." And then the endorphins laugh and then you laugh. See? Its Science.” Proverbs 17:2 reminds us: “A joyful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.”
Endorphins are defined as any of a group of hormones secreted within the brain and nervous system and having a number of physiological functions. They are peptides that activate the body’s opiate receptors, causing an analgesic effect. These are considered to block the perception of pain and increase feelings of well-being. In effect, they contribute and enhance the feel-good-factors of personal life.
When God made man, in divine wisdom, He thoughtfully installed a unique utensil to lift spirits and enhance the happiness quota. Life presents both good and bad times to everyone. Endorphins are one of the intricate bodily coping mechanisms that provide life’s relief. Laughter is deemed as one of the ingredients that activate a flow of endorphins throughout the body. As one laughs, the intake of oxygen dramatically increases, which stimulates the heart, lungs and muscles which encourage a rush of endorphins by the brain.
Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 reminds us: “For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven: a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted; a time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; a time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance; a time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing; a time to seek, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away; a time to tear, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak; a time to love, and a time to hate; a time for war, and a time for peace.”
A purpose of the flow, and the hope it provides is essential to good living. It encourages the ability to side-step the major obstacles along the roadway, or crush a large boulder into small insignificant pebbles that cause little concern or damage. Where darkness prevails, it is replaced by light. That illumination brightens the way, we can see clearly where we are heading and any fears miraculously transform into courage and strength.
To understand the hidden depths and complexities of life is rather like looking at an autostereogram. Realities may conceal a variety of abstract concepts. Everyone seeks a magic eye. It creates the ability to look at a complex and jumbled locus and discern its true meaning and identity. It may be a single picture hidden within an outer shell. Perhaps surrounded by dots or other mosaic type patterns, that conceal a two-dimensional image. However, its mastery, if viewed in a particular way can, sometimes expand that illusion into a three-dimensional scene. The complexities of life are often difficult and opaque. They also may be two or three-dimensional and come from various directions. They need to be recognized, identified as to their real worth, and then placed into true perspective.
Recognition of truth discards the false and unwanted. It allows a person to walk along the pathway of an existence without stumbling. Philippians 4:8-20 reminds us: “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me - practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you. I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at length you have revived your concern for me. You were indeed concerned for me, but you had no opportunity. Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me. Yet it was kind of you to share my trouble. And you Philippians yourselves know that in the beginning of the gospel, when I left Macedonia, no church entered into partnership with me in giving and receiving, except you only.
Even in Thessalonica you sent me help for my needs once and again. Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that increases to your credit. I have received full payment, and more. I am well supplied, having received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent, a fragrant offering, a sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God. And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. To our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen.”
If we can continue to raise a smile through the bad times as well as the good, then our bodies effectively remain receptive to God’s love and nutrition. Spiritual feeding can sustain well-being, it replaces the hunger and thirst that, so often, is encountered in our daily lives. It may be provided directly from God through the words of scripture, sermons, group discussions and church to name but a few.
Martin Luther, a German priest and theologian once remarked: “God wants to be praised for nourishing and cherishing, for God cherishes all creatures. God is not only the creator, but is also the sustainer and nourisher.” Matthew 4:4 reminds us: But he answered, “It is written, “‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”
The pain and stresses of life that everyone encounters from time to time may be alleviated by an endorphins rush, but that is only a temporary relief. An endorphins rush is not permanent or even long-lasting. It can be short, but precise. However, people need something more substantial to ensure a way through life and reduce its level of discomfort. This is where God can help. If God is in our life, the burdens that an existence continuously encounters may be reduced through God’s love and protection.
He will give us courage and strength to overcome the most painful of circumstances. He will guide and lead us to a place of safety where peace in our hearts prevails. In the assured knowledge that He is continually with us, the tension of life is relieved, providing a similar experience to an endorphins rush but on a much larger scale.
John 5:19-24 reminds us: So Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of his own accord, but only what he sees the Father doing. For whatever the Father does, that the Son does likewise. For the Father loves the Son and shows him all that he himself is doing. And greater works than these will he show him, so that you may marvel. For as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, so also the Son gives life to whom he will. For the Father judges no one, but has given all judgment to the Son, that all may honor the Son, just as they honor the Father. Whoever does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent him. Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life.“
Amen.
