May 4 | Cheerful Heart is Good Medicine

Series | The Wisdom of Proverbs, Part 2

Scripture | Proverbs 17:22, “A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.”

Lesson 4 | Cheerful Heart is Good Medicine

Did you know that God’s wisdom about a cheerful heart being “good medicine” has actually been proven true in the medical world?  For example, “one recent study polled healthy first-year law students at the beginning of the school year to find out how optimistic they felt about the upcoming year. By the middle of the first semester, the students who had been confident that they would do well had more and better functioning immune cells than the worried students.

Some researchers think that pessimism may stress you out, too, boosting levels of destructive “stress hormones” in your bloodstream. Of course, it’s also possible that having a positive attitude toward life makes you more likely to take better care of yourself. And you’re more likely to attract people into your life (and keep them there) — which in and of itself may boost your health” (Source and quote from Jane Framingham, Ph.D.).

We may not be able to control how people treat us and what happens to us in life; however, we are able to control whether we will have a cheerful heart or a crushed spirit.  And even if our spirits do get crushed, we don't have to let it stay that way.  God said in Isaiah 61:3a, “…and provide for those who grieve in Zion- to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair.” 

Therefore, make a decision today to have a cheerful heart and good attitude.  Rejoice in the Lord and what He has done for you, Philippians 4:4.  And if you’re discouraged and crushed in your spirit ask God to exchange your mourning for joy and praise!

Reflection | Do you have a cheerful heart in the life?   

Action | (1) If you have a crushed spirit ask God to give you the spirit of joy. (2) Guard your heart and the joy that God gives you. (3) Lastly, in times of trouble find your joy in God and His love for you!

One Year Reading Plan (Optional) | Judges 19:1-20:48, John 3:22-4:3, Psalm 104:24-35, & Proverbs 14:22-24. Click here to read online.