PROVERBS 17
21 He who sires a fool gets himself sorrow,
and the father of a fool has no joy.
22 A joyful heart is good medicine,
but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.
23 The wicked accepts a bribe in secret
to pervert the ways of justice.
24 The discerning sets his face toward wisdom,
but the eyes of a fool are on the ends of the earth.
– Proverbs 17:21-24
PROVERBS 17 A JOYFUL HEART VERSUS A CRUSHED SPIRIT
A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses
When one has the fear of the Lord, he has joy and wisdom
A joyful heart prevents the deterioration of the body
But a crushed spirit pulls everyone it meets down
The one who dwells on life’s miseries dries up his bones
Rejoice in the Lord and you’ll be content and satisfied
Keep your eyes on the world and you will be dissatisfied.
In Paul’s letter to the Philippians, he teaches them the secret to a joyful heart which is contentment. Philippians 4:11-12 He says that he has learned in whatever situation that he is to be content, whether he has plenty or he has lack, abundance or need. If one dwells on the things that they lack, covetousness and temptations will visit one’s heart. But if a person’s heart is focused on thanksgiving no matter how big or little it is, he begins to count his blessings and recognize the blessings that he has received. Then rejoicing automatically follows. Paul also writes to Timothy that godliness with contentment is great gain in 1 Timothy 6:6-11. He says that since we brought nothing into the world, we cannot take anything out of the world, so he suggests for the believers to be content. Man’s desires and cravings lead him to temptations, covetousness, discontent and the book of James says the same that these cravings give birth to sin which crushes our spirits and sucks out the joy in our hearts.
REFLECTION
- How can we avoid being depressed and discontented and have more joy?
