Contagious

"Your love has given me great joy and encouragement, because you, brother, have refreshed the hearts of the Lord's people." Philemon 1:7

In a new study in Nature Communications, it was suggested that running might just be contagious. In fact, if you were to think back on why you began yourself, you would probably say it was because your friends were doing it right? And while the study said that the sets of runners examined might not be representative of every jogger on the globe, the idea behind the research might help psychologists and athletes understand what motivates us to do certain activities. But for now, they said, it's safe to say that if you are trying to get back into your running game-or trying to initiate one-getting a workout buddy might not be a bad idea.

And you know the same can be said of joy. Paul knew that when he wrote to Philemon saying, "Your love has given me great joy and encouragement, because you, brother, have refreshed the heart's of the Lord's people." You see, Philemon's cheerful and uplifting attitude was so evident and abundant that it affected all those around him causing them to want the same happiness for themselves-proving joy is most certainly contagious too. And it's no wonder that it had that effect because, like water in the desert, a jubilant and motivating person has the power to refresh even the driest soul. 

I wonder then, if a person's attitude and actions are contagious, are you and I draining other's energy by our negativity? Or are we helping to replenish their spirits by our overwhelming joy and encouragement? Knowing our outlook will affect those around us, let us choose to be joyful then and let the feeling spread. 

Heavenly Father, thank you for the reminder that our attitudes have the power to either lift up or bring down those around us. Help us to be filled daily with your Spirit that it might be reflected in all we say and do. May others so clearly see you in us that they walk away with a smile and a refreshed spirit. It's in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!!!

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Mercy Me- Shake

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o8k40xj5Exk

http://www.popsci.com/running-contagious