Finding It

“When you can’t find the sunshine, be the sunshine.”(www.RatetheQuote.com)

If you attended a church Sunday school as a child, chances are good that remember the Christian children’s hymn, " I’ll Be a Sunbeam " (“Jesus Wants Me for a Sunbeam”) with lyrics by Nellie Talbot and music by Edwin. O Excell. It was published in 1905:

Jesus wants me for a sunbeam,
To shine for Him each day
In every way try to please Him,
At home, at school, at play.

Chorus

A sunbeam, a sunbeam,
Jesus wants me for a sunbeam
A sunbeam, a sunbeam,
I'll be a sunbeam for Him.

Jesus wants me to be loving,
And kind to all I see
Showing how pleasant and happy
His little one can be.

Chorus

I will ask Jesus to help me,
To keep my heart from sin
Ever reflecting His goodness,
And always shine for Him.

Chorus

I'll be a sunbeam for Jesus
I can if I but try;
Serving Him moment by moment,
Then live with Him on high.

Chorus

I am certain your heavenly Father wants Christians to shine their God light (like a sunbeam) into a world that is spiritually dark. Matthew 5:14(TPT) says: Your lives light up the world. For how can you hide a city that stands on a hilltop? This does not mean that our God light may not flicker at times with the challenges of life. What it does mean is that God is there to make sure your God light (or witness) is not extinguished until you see Him in His full glory in Heaven.

When you thank God for all the good things He’s done in your life, remember to thank Him for all the wonderful benefits of the sun. Here are five ways the sun helps you:

Higher quality sleep-The serotonin you soak up from the sun’s rays does more than boost your mood. It also promotes more restful sleep at night. Working in connection with serotonin is melatonin, a chemical in your brain that helps you slumber and one the sun also helps your body produce. Are you suffering from insomnia? Try to stick to traditional light and dark cycles so that you are getting sunlight during the day (so you can catch some sleep at night).

Improved mood-It turns out that a “sunny disposition” is more than just an expression: There is more mental health distress in people during seasons with little sun exposure. On the contrary, days with plenty of sunshine were associated with better mental health. The availability of sunshine has more impact on mood than rainfall, temperature, or any other environmental factor. Getting some sun increases your serotonin and helps you stave off Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) . Sun exposure can also help people with anxiety and depression especially in combination with other treatments.

Increased Vitamin D-Vitamin D promotes reduced inflammation and maintains cell growth. It’s difficult to get enough Vitamin D from food sources alone. The sun is the best natural source of Vitamin D. It only takes 5-15 minutes of sunlight a few times a week to notice a difference. Get outside and expose yourself to direct sun on your arms and face to soak up this necessary vitamin. Just remember to use sunscreen if you’ll be outside for more than 15 minutes.

Lower blood pressure-When sunlight hits your skin, your body releases something called nitric oxide into your blood. This compound brings down blood pressure and improves heart health. Maintaining healthy blood pressure can reduce your risks of cardiac disease and stroke. Feelings of relaxation may also naturally bring down blood pressure so boosting your happiness by soaking up rays also aids in keeping your blood pressure down.

Stronger bones-Vitamin D does some important work in your body Low Vitamin D has been linked to diseases like osteoporosis and rickets. One of the most specific benefits of Vitamin D is earning stronger bones and teeth.  How much Vitamin D do you need? For adults, a daily intake of 4,000 international units (or IUs) is recommended. While calcium intake is also crucial for bone health, getting enough sun helps your body absorb the calcium.

“Compliment people wherever you go. Praise every single thing you see. Be a ray of sunshine to everyone you meet.” (Rhonda Byrne)[i]

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[i] Adapted from:

·        “5 Ways the Sun Impacts Your Mental and Physical Health” by Tri-City Medical Center

·        “I'll be a Sunbeam” from Wikipedia