Music That Calms The Troubled Heart

Music That Calms The Troubled Heart

Let us find a good musician to play the harp whenever the tormenting spirit troubles you. He will play soothing music, and you will soon be well again. 1 Samuel 16:16

Nowhere is the connection between physical, emotional, and spiritual illness more evident than in a psychiatric hospital. While I was the medical director of a mental health facility in Jackson, Tennessee, I saw on a daily basis how even one poor health decision could dramatically affect a person’s emotions and spirit. Conversely, I could see how a patient with a positive attitude seemed to improve not only emotionally, but also in spirit and in health. It’s as if the physical, emotional, and spiritual strands of our lives weave together to make up the cord of our health.

The power of God’s words to heal disease and infirmity is proved over and over again in the Bible. It has also been proven time and again in my own experience. I’ve watched patients’ spirits change dramatically when their family members read Scripture to them. Their screaming seemed to subside as they heard the red-letter words of Jesus. Watching it happen was like watching music soothe a wild beast.

Later in my medical practice, when a belligerent, demented patient confronted me in the emergency room, I reminded myself that it was all connected. Medicine that affects the body also affects a patient’s mental and spiritual health. Patients who were mentally unstable often didn’t take care of themselves physically. At times, it was very tedious to tease out the difference between symptom and cause.

In those difficult moments, I’d think of Jesus, who healed both mind and body, removing every kind of sickness and disease. Patients brought to his feet were then brought under his healing command. When he simply spoke words of healing, demons and disease would flee the person’s body. Even today, his words are the music we use to calm our wild and troubled hearts.

TODAY’S RX

Are you having a hard day? Are your cords fraying under the weight of all you have to bear? If so, turn to Scripture, and allow God’s words to be the chords of music that will soothe your ears, heart, and mind.

Jesus, there are so many people who are lost and troubled in this world. They need to know your love and experience your healing touch. Use me as you see fit to shine your light where it needs to be cast.