Proverbs 17:22 (CSB)
A joyful heart is good medicine, but a broken spirit dries up the bones.
Staying cheerful in the face of adversity can often be a challenge, but this verse of scripture tells us that a joyful heart is good medicine. When we are going through difficult or hard times we probably don’t feel like being cheerful, but the rest of the verse tells us that a broken spirit dries up the bones. What does that mean? The bones are a metaphor for a person’s innermost body strength. Being upset, grieving or being in an anxious state are feelings we all go through, but having these feelings for a prolonged period of time will make a person feel worn out from the inside. It will affect your spirit. Our mental state affects our physical state. The scripture, therefore, is telling us that a joyful heart will keep our spirit built up. Staying connected to God’s strength through faith, trust and prayer will restore our spirit.
Dear God,
Thank you for helping us through difficult and hard times. When we are in despair, You restore our spirit when we stay connected to You. By staying in Your Word, you renew our innermost strength and our mental and physical exhaustion will be replaced by a joyful heart. Thank you God. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
Onward Christian Soldiers 