This past month I've been hit with a terrible sickness. It's some sort of viral throat disease. Pretty much all the symptoms of strep throat but not.

Things started to look good, I started to feel better. Then suddenly, this last week, I was hit again. I've been sick before, but never has it been so painful.

I can't eat because it hurts too much to swallow even my own spit. Never have I found so much joy in pain killers, and cough syrup.

The only good thing that comes out of this sickness, is I get to eat ice cream for every meal, since it's the only thing that chills my throat and doesn't hurt.

I've been pretty miserable.

The last couple days I've been complaining and whining in my batman voice. My heart aches to be home so I can be miserable there and let mom take care of me. But, don't worry mom, I'm well taken care of, I just miss you.

Today, in my Bible study, the word joy kept coming up. It's not a new word, and it's not one's definition I don't recognize.

In fact, it's so common I've almost become immune to what it means, or what it means to us as Christians.

We are called to be contagious.

Not the sickness contagious that leaves your voice sounding like a man's, but a joyful contagious.

"For the Joy of the Lord," which is given to us, "is our strength."

I feel weak, I'd prefer not to be sick but there's a lot more that I can do then wallow in self pity. Believe me, it doesn't make matters any better.

I'm not called to pity myself but I should be saying, "Praise be to Jesus, I'm still alive."

This doesn't just apply to sickness, it applies to every circumstance.

When things go south, or down, start to look north, or up, to find God's joy to lighten your darkness.

When you have this mindset, you'll see that you'll be able to comfort others in the midst of their troubles. They will seek your comfort that you found in Jesus, therefore, making your joy become contagious. You'll "Infect" those around you to have joy in their souls.

People will want more of you.

They'll ask, "Why are you happy?" and you can point them to Jesus.

Your forever joy doesn't come from painkillers or cough syrup, because those are earthly things. Meaning at some point they will all disappear. Your forever joy comes from God, which is eternal.

Go infect the world.