Medicine for the spirit: determining your state of heart
A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.” ~ Proverbs 17:22
I believe the key to a cheerful heart described in Proverbs requires shifting from a mindset focused on past losses to present blessings. Since stress affects our physical well-being, then it stands to reason that negativity can do the same. Just recently, I experienced the effects of an attitude that had backslid into recounting regrets, poor decisions, and do-overs I wished were possible. But the other morning, I read a devotion about our ability to choose which “room” we linger in, and how our “surroundings” determine our joy—the byproduct of a cheerful heart. Without hesitation, I searched for the first exit to find a different room filled with happy memories and answered prayers. Because it’s not only our words to others that matter, but those we think and tell ourselves that serve as medicine for the spirit.
Do you need to find a new room to spend time in today?
Photo by Eli Pluma on Unsplash
Amen. So true. I had a very troubled past and did not accept Christ as my Lord and Savior until I was about 40 years old. Sometimes the “what ifs” and the regrets of past mistakes still try to creep up on me. But, as Psalm 103:12 says, ” As far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us.” I need to remember that I am a child of the King , and focus on His love, forgiveness, and blessings in my life. That joy will not only help me, but also with my testimony and attitude toward others. Have a blessed day, Chris.
So very well said, David. We’re told to take every thought captive to make it obedient to Christ (2 Corinthians 10:5), which includes everything contrary to His Word. And we can be confident that He who began a good work in us will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus (Philippians 1:6). Thank you for sharing your testimony. Weekend blessings <3