“Stay away! I might be contagious!” These words can generate feelings of panic! With the flu, strep throat, and stomach bug rampant this time of the year, it just takes someone coughing to make us run for the hand sanitizer. While the word contagious is usually not welcomed, there are some things that should be contagious.
First, soft words should be spread. In Proverbs 15:1, Solomon said, “A soft answer turned away wrath; but grievous words stir up anger.” People seem to have short fuses in today’s society. We get angry so fast, but it’s hard to keep yelling at someone who only answers softly. Paul encouraged the church in Colosse, “Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man. ” (Colossians 4:6) Soft words should be contagious.
Another thing that we need to spread is kindness. Have you ever been the recipient of someone in the drive-through line in front of you paying for your meal? It often leads to several vehicles in a row – paying it forward. When someone is thoughtful and does something special for you, it makes you aware of opportunities to do the same. Sometimes, you don’t realize how much it means to get cards or have someone bring you a meal after surgery until you’re the one who has been there and done that. May we remember to “be ye kind, one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another.” (Ephesians 4:32) Kindness should be contagious!
Last, but definitely not least – we should all make smiles contagious. It’s hard to be grumpy when someone smiles at you. Even when we are feeling blue, smiling helps us to feel better. Smiling makes us more attractive, relieves stress, and lowers your blood pressure. One person walking in with a smile on their face will draw people in and brighten a whole room. Proverbs 15:13 says, “A merry heart maketh a cheerful countenance.” It doeth good, like a medicine.” (Proverbs 17:22a) Yes, we need to share smiles!
While, we may shudder at the thought of “catching something,” may we remember that there are somethings that we need to spread – a soft word, kindness, and a smile are just a few. What are some of your ideas of things that should be contagious? God Bless, Courtney