A joyful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones. – Proverbs 17:22
Your attitudes affect your body’s health. The mind-body connection has been studied by physicians, philosophers, and theologians for centuries. King Solomon speaks of it in today’s verse from Proverbs. According to a survey from the National Institutes of Health, during the COVID pandemic, more than 21 million adults in the United States said they experienced at least one major episode of depression. Even before COVID hit, 16.5 percent of American adults were using prescriptions for mental health issues, with depression topping the list.
When one’s inner thoughts and emotions are positive, a heart is joyful, happy, and full of cheer, alleviating symptoms of depression. Studies from the American College of Cardiology and Johns Hopkins, among others, have demonstrated the powerful influence of one’s emotions over the body. One commentator wrote, “A cheerful, contented temperament not only fortifies your mental health, but it enables us to resist the attacks of physical disease.”
Looking at your own circumstances, the declining condition of values in America, or just listening to or reading the news may get you down. Though God understands, He does not want you in that condition. The psalmist and others remind you to look to the Lord, His faithfulness, His goodness to you, His plans for the earth, to give Him thanks and worship Him. Spend time in His Word—it is your spiritual medicine chest. Those actions will serve as the kick-start for a merry heart. Find your joy and hope in the Lord (2 Corinthians 4:16-18). Then let your inner joy radiate with a smile on your face – you will find it is contagious! Pray for the emotional and mental health of candidates for the coming election, and that those who are downhearted seek solace in Jesus.
Today’s Verse: Proverbs 17:22
A joyful heart is good medicine,
but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.
All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Recommended for further reading: Psalm 92
It is good to give thanks to the Lord,
to sing praises to your name, O Most High;
2 to declare your steadfast love in the morning,
and your faithfulness by night,
3 to the music of the lute and the harp,
to the melody of the lyre.
4 For you, O Lord, have made me glad by your work;
at the works of your hands I sing for joy.
5 How great are your works, O Lord!
Your thoughts are very deep!
6 The stupid man cannot know;
the fool cannot understand this:
7 that though the wicked sprout like grass
and all evildoers flourish,
they are doomed to destruction forever;
8 but you, O Lord, are on high forever.
9 For behold, your enemies, O Lord,
for behold, your enemies shall perish;
all evildoers shall be scattered.
10 But you have exalted my horn like that of the wild ox;
you have poured over me fresh oil.
11 My eyes have seen the downfall of my enemies;
my ears have heard the doom of my evil assailants.
12 The righteous flourish like the palm tree
and grow like a cedar in Lebanon.
13 They are planted in the house of the Lord;
they flourish in the courts of our God.
14 They still bear fruit in old age;
they are ever full of sap and green,
15 to declare that the Lord is upright;
he is my rock, and there is no unrighteousness in him.
All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
