A HAPPY HEART MAKES THE FACE CHEERFUL,
BUT HEARTACHE CRUSHES THE SPIRIT.
Proverbs 15:13 NIV ❤ (Verse on Bible Hub)
A CHEERFUL HEART IS GOOD MEDICINE
Just the word cheerful alone brings a smile to my heart and a release to my soul. A few synonyms for ‘cheerful’ are: jolly, bright, sunny, breezy, cheery, bubbly, sparkling, unworried, radiant, joyful, lighthearted, peppy, exuberant, happy, friendly.
Some pretty powerful words, right? Some of my favorite are bright, sunny, radiant, and joyful.
I am so blessed to have a client who is exactly like this even when she was going through breast cancer.
She is an example of what I want to exude from me all of the time. Or at least most of the time.
A crushed spirit dries up the bones.
Ugh!
A few synonyms for ‘crushed’ are:
squashed, squeezed, pulped, mashed, flattened, mangled,
pulverized, crumbled, bruised, and trampled.
Can you relate to any of these words? I’ve had my spirit bruised, trampled and pulverized a few times.
It’s not fun or easy at all.
Just the other day, I had a huge decision and phone call I had to make and it was overwhelming me to the point of actually feeling the stress in my muscles and bones.
It made me think of this verse and how we can feel stress in every part of our body to the point of it drying up our bones.
A happy heart makes the face cheerful,
but heartache crushes the spirit.
Proverbs 15:13 (Verse on Biblehub)
I’m sure all of us have experienced both a cheerful heart and a crushed spirit at different times in our lives.
“A cheerful heart brings a smile to your face;
a sad heart makes it hard to get through the day.
A miserable heart means a miserable life;
a cheerful heart fills the day with song.”
Proverbs 15:13,15 The Message Bible
My prayer for all of us is that we will just continue to cling (sometimes that’s all we can do) to God, allowing Him to lead us away from the crushed spirit and replacing it with a cheerful heart. Also, that we would have mercy on those who have a continued crushed spirit whether they’re Christians or not. How horribly sad it would be to be miserable all the time.
I’m not suggesting spending too much time with them lest they bring you down, but keeping them in your prayers and let the Lord lead you as He would, knowing He’s the one who brings necessary changes to different lives, including our own.
Are you suffering with a crushed spirit right now?
I implore you to take whatever is causing it right to Jesus.
Talk with Him about it. Not only is He is your best friend, He’s your Lord and has the power to replace it with a cheerful heart again.
It may take hours, days or even weeks, but I believe you will experience the joy again as long as you don’t give up. Jesus loves you so much! 💗
Is anyone among you in trouble? Let them pray.
Is anyone happy? Let them sing songs of praise.
James 5:13 (Verse on Biblehub)
Are you filled with a cheerful heart? Praise God from whom all blessings flow!! Spread that cheer far and wide, so others can glean from it too. Have a wonderful day!
Blessings,
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him,
so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Romans 15:13 (Verse on Biblehub)
❤
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Thank you for reminding us to have a cheerful heart. I hope you weekend has been full of joy. Maree
So good! I can see your heart for people and wanting us to have the joy of the Lord. It truly is our strength and I believe we can have it in any circumstances because of his great power in us.
I love the definition of cheerful. So encouraging.
The list of synonyms alone, for the word ‘cheerful’, brought a smile to my face. I’m determined to be more cheerful! Thank you for the encouragement!
You’re welcome!I love that list too and I’m so grateful it encouraged you.💗
Sometimes we have to choose that joy!
Choices lead, feelings follow!
So true, Hannah! Thank you for sharing.💗
I know exactly what you mean about feeling it in your muscles and bones. It gets right into you doesn’t it?
It sure does, Diane! Have a great day!
Always like to read new blogs. This one brought hope. Have a good day
Thank you for stopping by, Mark. I’m so grateful this brought you hope. 💗
I appreciate your perspective and encouragement in this post. Especially love taking our crushed spirit to Jesus, the source of all hope and comfort. Thank you!
Thank you! I’m so thankful for Jesus.💗
Your list of adjectives reminded me of a local television reporter. She was always so upbeat and cheerful, I was calling her Miss Perky. I used that term one day, someone immediately recognized who I was talking about, Then she told me her boyfriend had been murdered and she left the country, I didn’t mean it to be an insult. I was just surprised at her energy, I am truly sorry that she endured that, I hope she can get her joy back. It was a lesson for me, not to take anything for granted, I should have said, Lord, I’d like some of that spark.
I’m so sorry! That would be difficult. We are always learning lessons, aren’t we? I’ll be praying for her: I don’t know her name, but God does. 💗
It has been a while back, it did teach me something about myself.
Implementing positivity into your soul effects your body the same way negativity would. When you feel stress remove it immediately with something that makes you happy I know it may sound easy but enough of practice of anything in returns have a positive outlook. Love the articles very inspiring.
So very true, Crystal! Thank you for sharing. 💗
I can feel your cheerful heart through your words! I also love the word “cheerful” and just by saying the word when I’m not feeling the word can turn my day around!
Thank you Jamie! Your words blessed my heart. 💗
Thank you for these reminders… sometimes its so easy to get bogged down in the day to day I forget…
I understand Dee. I forget at times as well. God bless your day.💗
Something I’ve been struggling with
I understand Andrea. I said a prayer for you just now. God is with you and loves you. 💗
Andrea, if you’d like prayer, please let us know. You can always pm me on Facebook too.
I’ve experienced both of these feelings. Sometimes a crushed Spirit is hard to overcome but Good is so good and often makes a way when it feels like there is no way. A great reminder that I want to have a cheerful heart!
Thanks for stopping by Heather! Yes, God always sees us through.💗
What a beautiful piece! I love the way you bring it out with the synonyms; it stresses the points even better as some synonyms send out the message stronger. Bless you, sister.
Thank you Judith! I love using synonyms. Have a wonderful day.💗
I love this Susan! Keeping His joy in my heart helps me to get through my days ALOT easier!! Bless you sweet sister! ❤
Thank you Donna!💗