Good Medicine

Proverbs 17:22

“A merry heart does good, like medicine, But a broken spirit dries the bones.”

I heard of a woman that had terminal cancer, but she believed God was going to heal her progressively. Strangely enough she felt impressed by God to find things to make her laugh through the process. Sometimes in the middle of the night when her teenage children would wake up, they would hear her laughing. When they got out of the bed to see what was making her laugh, she would be watching a funny movie and sometimes cartoons on the TV. 

What was that? I believe it was partly derived from todays verse, “A merry heart does good, like medicine…” Whether finding something funny, or talking to an old friend, or getting out the picture books and remembering good times, I believe a happy heart makes the medicine work better. What happened to the lady with terminal cancer? She is still living 41 years later, cancer free.

Solomon gives the opposite side of the coin. From a merry heart, a broken spirit or a spirit that is overwhelmed or in sorrow because of the situation that one is in. This is not to be confused with a contrite or repentant spirit. When we are broken before God in this sense, this is a brokenness of the heart and mind. This is when sorrow is at its worst. That kind of brokenness will make the person’s body fail. These two concepts of a merry heart and a broken spirit leads to a stronger healing or a quicker decline it is our choice.

Prayer:
Lord, bring joy to all those who are hurting. Bring someone or something in that will lift their hearts and minds. Push away the darkness, push away the pain and depression, and let them see the light of the Lord and experience His healing power. In your name Lord, Amen!