A cheerful heart

A CHEERFUL HEART

 

A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones
(Prov. 17:22 NIV).

 

Some people seem to live in perpetual sunshine. on cloudy, dreary days the warmth of their spirit makes everyone feel better. The world brightens and burdens lighten because of their cheerful smiles.

 

Then there are those who bring a cloud of doom with them wherever they go.. A certain cartoon character always has a storm cloud over his head. It constantly rains on him. People who live in the shadow of a cloud are a discouragement to others. Their crushed spirit "dries up our bones."

 

How can we be cheerful? We must understand that a cheerful heart does not depend on outward circumstances. In the midst of a storm Jesus said to His disciples, "Be of good cheer" (Matt. 14:27 KJV).

 

Cheerfulness does not come from artificial stimulation or through the gratification of the senses. It comes from recognizing the goodness of God and the greatness of His provision.

 

It is not that we deny the realities of our situation, but that we come to know the one who is greater than our circumstances.

 

When trouble comes we are better prepared to meet it with a cheerful heart.

 

Life response: I am determined to bring "sunshine" rather than "clouds" to people around me.