"A merry heart does good, like medicine, But a broken spirit dries the bones".
Proverbs 17:22 NKJV
Let us read what BibleRef.com says about this verse:
'Solomon offers sound medical advice in this verse. A person's attitude affects his outlook on life and even his health. If he is joyful, negative circumstances don't knock him off balance and cause him to despair. Over the centuries, medicine has become more and more aware of the influence a person's happiness has on their overall health. The ultimate source of joy is found in a relationship with Christ (; ). The believer can rejoice in the Lord, as Paul did even when he was a prisoner in Rome. From his imprisonment, he urged the Philippian believers to rejoice in the Lord (; ). Instead of looking around at circumstances, a joyful believer looks to the Lord and rejoices in Him. In contrast, being mentally beaten down leads to the physical symptoms of severe depression. Whoever fails to look to God and His faithful goodness becomes joyless and loses hope. He develops what Solomon calls "a crushed spirit." A crushed spirit produces ill-health, perhaps high blood pressure, ulcers, lack of energy, heart disease, or general malaise. The apostle James advocated for a resilient spirit even in the face of trials. He writes in , "Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet with trials of various kinds.' bibleref.com
When we are happy, laughing and enjoying good company, we feel much better. No wonder Nehemiah 8:10 calls joy our strength. There is so much misery in our world that it is so easy to become overtaken by it and follow suit. A good belly-laugh works wonders for our health, especially those times that we're laughing so long and hard that it hurts our stomach muscles. It is rather like when we do some strong physical exercise, everything hurts, our hearts are pumping but, in most cases it is doing us good.
In contrast, sorrow and hurt leads us to feel awful and lifeless. We just want to crawl under a rock and die. Now it doesn't take a rocket scientist to work out that it is no good for us and, let's face it, this is not God's best for you. God wants you happy and joyful, There are times to laugh and there are times to cry, that is true; but it is getting the balance right, no one ever felt good about a good cry, there is no joy in that is there? It is far better to program yourself to be as happy as you can all of the time.
Instead of looking around at circumstances, a joyful believer looks to the Lord and rejoices in Him.
Copyright 2025 Grahame Howard.
If you don't know Jesus or, have fallen away, why not say this prayer right now:
Lord Jesus, I have sinned. I ask you to forgive me and be my Lord and Saviour. Please come into my heart, fill me with Your Spirit and give me a brand new start today.
In Jesus' Name. Amen'
dailylifewithjesusbygrahamehoward.blogspot.com
If you would like to contact me, grahame.howard@hotmail.co.uk
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