Proverbs__17
Scripture
Proverbs 17:22
A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.
Observation
King Solomon continues his “sayings of the wise,” which encapsulates not only different aspects of life but different actions for a successful one. Additionally, he places an emphasis on eating with dignity and a sound mind.
Understanding
Enter with a happy heart.
As kids, whenever Ethan and I had a bad attitude about something or were sad about a certain situation my mom and dad would make us say the words “I have a happy heart.” Whether in the heat of the moment we did or not, they made us repeat it until we calmed down. If that wasn’t enough we are reminded to “enter with a happy heart” because a sign saying just that hangs outside our door. For my whole life this has been a constant mantra for me to live by, but it wasn’t until reading this passage that it just clicked.
We can go through life simply repeating something even if we don’t believe it. Sometimes we repeat to believe it, or we repeat it to make someone else think we believe it (as the case when Ethan and I would say it to my parents sometimes). Life throws some pretty wild seasons at us, and change is only inevitable. However, where one door closes another always opens (as cheesy as it sounds), and we can enter that new doorway with a happy heart or a dried up spirit as Solomon points out.
Matthew 7:7
Ask and it will given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.
When we change our heart about certain circumstances our perspective makes a 180 as well, and the extra effort makes it worth it. It takes effort though… happiness is a choice and joy is an outward representation of an inward feeling. If I am to radiate the goodness of the Father I am called to enter every new season with a cheerful heart, not an angry one. I want the Father to receive my whole spirit too, not some broken crushed one (that wouldn’t be the best way to spend eternity).
Life Application
Have a happy heart!
Even if you takes you having to repeat to yourself an ungodly amount of times, make happiness a reality. It sounds easier said than done, but the extra effort makes it worth it. Steps to being happier always includes:
- Spending time with God and understanding His heart more.
- Understanding the calling on your own life and taking hold of it.
- Serving others with humility and grace (I promise it comes back around and is never only one-sided).
-Allison Khan