“A happy heart is good medicine and a joyful mind causes healing, But a broken spirit dries up the bones.” – Proverbs 17:22 Amplified
Last year I did a series on the Dangers of Toxic Emotions. I talked about a host of illness and conditions that can be medically traced back to toxic emotions. I won’t restate what I’ve spoken here. You can check the series on our YouTube Channel. What I’d like to talk you about the health benefits of being… happy:
Heart in Hebrew in this passage means leb (pronounced labe). It used “very widely for the feeling, the will and even the intellect; likewise the center of anything.” [Strong’s Dictionary]. Your feelings and will are in your brain (your mind) thus, good thoughts produce good feelings.
“What’s the big deal about feelings… who cares what I feel, right?” you may say. Well, let’s look at what medicine has to say:
Webmd states “Other studies have shown that positive thinking helps people manage illness and eases depression.”
Johns Hopkins Medicine states “Studies also find that negative emotions can weaken immune response. What is clear, however, is that there is definitely a strong link between “positivity” and health. Additional studies have found that a positive attitude improves outcomes and life satisfaction across a spectrum of conditions.”
There’s a ton of more medical journals I can site, but these two are sufficient.
You see, the Bible ALWAYS has the answers that man is seeking.
I have known people with “undiagnosed” illness who when they were around people, talking, and laughing, exhibited no symptoms while they were there. However, as soon as they went back home to familiar surroundings the symptoms acted back up again.
So, what am I saying: we need to stop having negative and toxic thoughts!
The scripture states to not give place to the devil [Ephesians 4:27]. Don’t open the door of your mind to negative things that will roll out the carpet to the devil to come and devour you!
Peter warns us in 1 Peter 5:8:
“Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.”
What not supposed to welcome him but resist him: “ Whom resist stedfast in the faith,”[vs.9a]
Keeping this top of mind:
“knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.” [vs. 9 b}
Are fears… worries… and anxieties… all stem from our lack of trust in the One Who died a horrible death on the cross for us… That death was the ultimate expression and demonstration of His love for us… devotion… and commitment…
I was recently reminded by Pastor Sharon that the God who was with us when we literally had nothing…. Health scares… financial scares… you name it: HASN’T CHANGED! If He was good back then, He’ll be good today!
And that, my friends, is the key to a merry heart: REMEMBER THE GOOD THAT HE HAS DONE FOR YOU… NOT the bad that you experience or are going through! David knew this secret when he penned:
“Even though I walk through the [sunless] valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod [to protect] and Your staff [to guide], they comfort and console me.” – Psalms 23:4 Amplified
He knew deep in his heart that whatever he was going through, he was just GOING THROUGH. He had a history with the Lord that he was quick to remind himself of.
That is the key my friend.
Lamentations 3:21-26 (NKJV) says:
21 This I recall to my mind, Therefore I have hope.
22 Through the Lord’s mercies we are not consumed, Because His compassions fail not.
23 They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness.
24 “The Lord is my portion,” says my soul, “Therefore I hope in Him!”
25 The Lord is good to those who wait for Him, To the soul who seeks Him.
26 It is good that one should hope and wait quietly For the salvation of the Lord.
The mind is a powerful thing. Mediate and think on His goodness and you will see a transformation in your physical body! Set your thoughts on things above and not on what’s going on down here [Colossians 3:2}. Don’t be like everyone around you… don’t conform to the ways and things of the is world but, let the Holy Spirit transform your body [Romans 12:2} into a healthy and whole vessel fit for the Master’s use!
I’m on the same journey myself but I have purposed myself to follow after Him and allow the Holy Spirit to renew my body as I renew my mind.
Until we speak again: Grace and Peace to you!
Pastor Joaquin