A Spoonful Of Joy

Read Proverbs 17

A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a broken spirit saps a person’s strength.

Proverbs 17:22

Though sorrow is burdensome, it is still possible to choose joy. Proverbs 17:22 implies that there is a choice between remaining mired in misery or taking the antidote—a joyful attitude.

Poor circumstances are plentiful, but joyful attitudes are a little harder to come by. It’s tough for a Little League player sitting in the dugout with a broken arm to smile. It’s a struggle for a young widow to get accustomed to an empty home. Harsh circumstances drain our bodies and minds of strength, leaving us weak and overwhelmed with pain. A cheerful heart may seem out of reach. But if we decide that trusting in God will get us back to a cheerful outlook, we will have taken the first step of joy.

This proverb is a gentle warning that when sorrow strikes, we must not get bogged down for too long. We need the clouds to part and a sunny attitude to come through. Jesus is standing ready to help you rise above the pain.

A WORD FOR TODAY

Joy is a valuable choice.

Today, Lord, I will choose to have a cheerful heart. Let my joy be contagious to the people around me.