Scripture
Proverbs 17:22 “A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a broken spirit saps a person’s strength.”
Observation
I know people who have a broken spirit. It crushes them. They become bitter, angry people and it destroys every area of their lives. It especially has a devastating effect on their relationships. It saps them of all their strength. The remedy for this is a cheerful heart. Something has to happen inside of them. We believe in physical and inner healing. The Holy Spirit can heal their spirit and give them a cheerful heart. The joy of the Lord is our strength. Joy is a fruit of the Holy Spirit. You do not receive a cheerful heart or joy from your circumstances or the way people treat you. It is a byproduct of your relationship with God. Spend time with God and His Word and the Holy Spirit will produce joy in you. A cheerful heart is good medicine for a broken spirit.
Application
I cannot look to circumstances or people to make me happy. That is a recipe for disaster. I will always end up disappointed and hurt. My hope must be in God. I have had people place their hope in me because I am a pastor but I always end up letting them down. I am human. I fail. I make mistakes. I and everyone else must put their hope in God. He never fails. He never lets us down. Joy and a cheerful heart come from God. It is produced in me by the Holy Spirit. When I am hurt and disappointed, I turn to God as my refuge and strength. When my spirit is broken, I run to him. He gives me joy and a cheerful heart which is medicine to the spirit.
Prayer
Father, I ask that you produce joy in me. I ask that the Holy Spirit give me a cheerful heart. Do not let me to become downcast. Remove a spirit of heaviness from me. Give me joy. When I enter into the presence of others let them see and experience the joy of the Lord in me.
