"A merry heart does good, like medicine. But a broken spirit dries up the bones." - Proverbs 17:22
According to this verse, a merry heart is medicinal, or good for your health. But the opposite is also true: a broken spirit dries up the bones.
So which one do we have: a merry heart or a broken spirit?
Proverbs 15:13 : "A merry heart makes a cheerful countenance." This verse tells us that how we are feeling on the inside will determine how we look on the outside.
Which type of person would you be more wiling to approach and talk to: a long-faced, grumpy person, or a cheerful, smiling one? I'd choose the cheerful one - no question. Everyone is drawn to a smile, including men. When our husbands get home from a long, stressful day at work, do we greet them with a grumpy, complaining countenance or a beautiful, glowing smile?
How about our children? Are we expressing joy in front of them or do we gripe and complain all day? They need to see a joyful mother. It will encourage them to be joyful. But having a complaining or spirit will be contagious as well.
Joy is a fruit of the Spirit. Galatians 5:22
And the joy of the Lord is our strength. Nehemiah 8:10
May the Lord help us to have merry hearts and cheerful countenances.
