March 17
A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones. Proverbs 17:22
In 2020, there were a staggering 6.7 billion prescriptions written in the United States1 (roughly 20 prescriptions per person). The most commonly written prescriptions are for cholesterol, thyroid, diabetes, and blood pressure issues. Interestingly, these four conditions are all associated with the heart. While it is vital (and prudent) to seek medical help and develop a plan for health and heart-related issues, Proverbs 17:22 offers a pointed "prescription" for all of us. It highlights a connection between our emotional state and our physical health.
The Hebrew word gehah is used only one time in the Old Testament - here in verse 22. It refers to healing, a cure, or remedy suggesting the restoration of health. This verse asserts that joy (cheerfulness) isn’t a byproduct of being healthy - it is the foundation of health. Cultivating a cheerful heart benefits the entire body. Having an inner disposition of hope, thankfulness, and gratitude serves as a tonic (a refreshing and invigorating substance) for the whole body. What happens in the heart spreads throughout the body. Having a cheerful heart, then, makes for good medicine as Solomon records in this verse. This does not imply that being joyful erases the need of medical care for serious health issues. Rather, one’s outlook - and what is harbored in the heart - does affect the rest of the body.
Conversely, a crushed spirit - an uncheerful heart, if you will - dries up the bones. To “dry up” suggests a loss of life-force and energy resulting in exhaustion and fatigue. Dried up bones is a vivid image that describes the physical toll of chronic negativity or emotional stress. A crushed spirit isn’t a brief period of time where one is struggling through a bad day or momentary negative thoughts. Instead, it is a deep-seated hopelessness that leads to exhaustion and a habitual - persistent and long-term - state of despair. What is the antidote for a crushed spirit? For bones that have dried up? A heart that chooses hope. A heart that chooses gratitude for all that God has done. A heart that focuses on the blessings and goodness God provides every moment. A heart that is thankful for the seemingly small and mundane things of everyday life. Keeping a daily journal of “God moments,” of the blessings, and God’s goodness is a way to begin creating a cheerful heart. Additionally, a phone call to a friend sharing these things will also make one’s heart more cheerful…and bless the friend, as well.
Father - I praise You for being the Designer of my body and the Keeper of my heart and soul. Your Word tells me that a cheerful heart is good medicine, but I confess that my spirit feels crushed and dried up more than I’d like it to be. When I feel this way, I pray for the refreshing work of Your Spirit. Help me to bring the burdens and heaviness of life to You - and trade them for Your grace that is sufficient for today. Give me a cheerful heart, not because my circumstances are perfect, but because Your love and presence in my life are constant and perfect. You are my Strength. You are my Rock. You are my Redeemer. You are good. In Your name we pray. Amen