Thursday, August 15, 2013

Good Medicine



The old Proverb “a merry heart is good medicine” echoes in all of us, because when we are happy in our hearts, our physical health seems to improve also. Likewise, if our hearts are full of cheer, we’ll likely have a joyful mind!


These bodies we walk around in are truly amazing! It’s true that our heart is what makes us alive in a physical and spiritual sense, and when we feel happy in our hearts, physical health seems to improve also. There is so much evidence that good physical health has a huge impact on our moods and our feelings of emotional well-being. It only makes sense that when our health is good we have more strength, endurance, and energy to go about our daily routines with ease and joy. Other studies show the impact that humor and laughter can affect our health; when laughter is shared it triggers healthy physical changes in our bodies, and strengthens our immune system. As simple as it is, the ability to laugh is a major aid to metal and physical health! Similarly, a merry heart is not only good for the spirit but also for the body. Not only will it add life to our years in a spiritual sense, it could add years to our life in a physical sense!


“The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in Him, and I am helped: therefore my heart greatly rejoices; and with my song will I praise Him.” (Psalm 28:7)

God created our souls for great joy, and even when we are in the midst of affliction, sickness, or emotional pain, we can still discover a merry heart. A merry heart does not necessarily look for the pleasures in life, but instead it rejoices in what God is doing, and looks at life through the eyes of faith. Whether in peace or conflict, comfort or misfortune, we can still have a merry heart by looking beyond our struggles and allowing the joy of the Lord to give us strength and to renew us even when we are in the storms of life. A joyful heart is a choice and an act of faith as we hope and trust in the Lord’s work in our lives.

What’s the secret to joyful heart living and to having fullness of joy?

A merry heart is a heart of praise, and the very best way to experience a joyful heart is to rejoice in God and praise Him! We enjoy the fullness of joy from being in the presence of God by praising Him in all circumstances. Rejoicing, praying, and giving thanks transforms our whole outlook about our life and in our world. God wants nothing more than for us to have a joyful heart and mind that is set on things that are positive. The more we praise and love Him and reside in His loving nature, the healthier we will be…a merry heart is like good medicine!!

“Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoices: my flesh also shall rest in hope” (Psalm 16:9)

 

This week I enjoyed reading Ceil’s post on Five Minute Friday...describing “small” in her words.

http://evangelize2me.blogspot.com/2013/08/fiveminute-friday-sonow-on-fridays.html
and also linking up this week with:
 
 
PROWESS AND PEARLS
 

USE this for BLOG
 

36 comments:

  1. Beautiful in words & pictures. I visited from Winsome Wed.
    Have a great week!
    Joanne

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    1. Thanks for visiting; blessings for a "merry" week!

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  2. Hi Denise,

    It is such a joy to be around people who know how to laugh and have a sense of humor isn't it?
    I do not think we are supposed to take ourselves so seriously all the time either. I know God laughs at us sometimes, just as we laugh at our own children when they do silly or comical things.
    My Mom used to say "laugh and the world laughs with you, cry and you cry alone."
    While that is not necessarily true, as we are called to both rejoice and to mourn with each other, I think sometimes people just need to laugh more...It's good for the face too!
    Blessings and love~ Lisa

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    1. Agree Lisa! I love being around laughter; it is always uplifting especially when I need a lift! :) Blessings and love right back!

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  3. This is a very sweet post. I love all the scriptures and your pictures are beautiful. This blog has a very cozy feel to it. Thanks for sharing!

    PS.. I came over from My Daily Walk in His Grace link up!

    Blessings,
    Amy

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    1. Hi Amy; thanks for stopping by and leaving your thankful comment! Blessings! :)

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  4. Hi Denise! I am visiting from Janis' blog.

    I love your blog! It looks so pretty, and I really like all the art work. I know that I am so much happier when I am eating right and exercising, which is right to your point. I'll have to work on the 'merry heart' in all circumstances though!

    I know people who are happy a lot, and they are a joy to be around. I'd like to be like that!

    So lovely to meet you today!
    Ceil

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    1. Love being around happy people, and also encouraging with laughter! So glad you stopped by; nice to meet you too! :)

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  5. Wanda has left a new comment on your post "Good Medicine":

    Now that's one pill we all can stand to take more of daily. May the rest of your week be filled with joy!

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    1. Thanks Wanda...accidentally hit the "delete" button rather than "publish", but wanted to wish you a week of joy back! :) Blessings!

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  6. I have just ben through a very serious health challenge and I now make this my declaration each day, 'The Joy of the Lord IS my strength'.

    Thank you for sharing that a merry heart is a heart of Praise.

    God Bless you, my sister in Christ.

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    1. Praying that you are gaining strength and restoration dear Carole; blessings and love to you!
      Denise

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  7. Hi Denise! I was visiting my sweet friend, Ceil, this morning and I enjoyed reading your comment on her post Five Minute Friday so I clicked on your icon :) I'm so glad I did because you have such a beautiful blog that truly brings honor and glory to the Lord. This post was such a joy to read and I appreciated the Scripture that you shared. I am your newest happy follower and I look forward to visiting again.

    Blessings,
    Stephanie

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    1. Thanks for visiting Stephanie, and for your thoughtful comments! :) It's always a blessing to meet new blogger sisters! Blessings and joy to you too!

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  8. Dear Denise
    It is wonderful to draw deep into the life of Jesus to receive His joy. Even the difficult things in our lives become so much easier!
    Blessings XX
    Mia

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    1. You are a great testimony to that dear sister! Love and Blessings sweet friend!

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  9. Oh yes my friend!! There's nothing like basking in the presence of the Lord, which is what brings our joy! In His presence, there is fullness of joy and at His right hand are pleasures evermore! Thanks for the reminder to always rejoice in the Lord! Thanks for linking up Denise...have a joyful weekend! :-)

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    1. The joy of the Lord is amazing; what an awesome God! Joy to you this weekend too Mitchell! :)

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  10. Wonderful blog Denise. Glad to have found it. I am always looking for uplifting posts and quotes to encourage me and others in life. It really does help me out. I have a blog at www.steps2serenity.blogspot.com Come by and check it out if you have time. I look forward to reading more on your blog.

    take care,
    Suzanne

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    1. Thanks for stopping by Suzanne; I look forward to visiting! Blessings and joy! :)

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  11. This post is so heart-warming and smile-inducing, Denise! I like how you explained that a merry heart is a condition that goes beyond circumstances. It's not just about happiness in the moment but an abiding joy that transcends current situations. I know how much being around those with merry hearts can change my countenance. May we all be merry hearts, encouraging others with the joy we've found in the Lord!

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    1. Amen Alison! I love being around joyful people who are uplifting and full of laughter and smiles! Blessings and love; thanks for visiting! :)

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  12. Oh Denise, this is so very true. As I continue to heal, God's love and other attributes are being exposed in me. Blessings to you dear one.

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    1. He has done wonderful things with you my dear Grace, and His love and grace will continue to heal you!

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  13. "A merry heart does not necessarily look for the pleasures in life, but instead it rejoices in what God is doing, and looks at life through the eyes of faith." I think that is my favorite quote in this devotional, Denise! So often we tend to look for fun and pleasure, and when for some reason, we don't see it, we get overly focused on our trials. When we do that, all else is crowded out. However, as you wrote above, we need to rejoice in what God is doing and look at life through eyes of faith! When we rejoice in the Lord, we can't help but see and feel joy...and a merry heart really is the best medicine!

    Blessings, Joan

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    1. Yes; agreed Joan! When we stay focused on this we can be joyful in every situation! :) Blessings!

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  14. Hi Denise, a big AMEN! And its medicine we would do well to take.
    God bless my friend
    Tracy

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    1. Yea; it's the best kind Tracy!! :) Love you my friend!

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  15. Oh...I just loved this post. Thanks for linking up with WholeHearted Home.

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  16. I love this too Denise....I love the quotes and your words and the reminder I get to choose. Even on those days when life doesn't seem the best...I can still chose and mostly trust and when I trust I feel happiest. Hugs to you and wishes for a great thursday.

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  17. It is so important to not let our hearts shut down because of pain. It's important to do all the work necessary to open our hearts back up and fill our hearts with joy and love and Jesus is the one to fill them up with good things.

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  18. I love whatt Peggy write as comment on your blog. Thats what I experience too.

    Sometimes it is a struggle for me. I want to be a glad mom, I would be grateful. But I feel also sadness in my heart. It is a search for a good balance.

    Great you write about this! Thanks.

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  19. Thank for for sharing this, I needed to read these today. I am struggling with happiness after the results of a recent ANS Test indicated I may have a major illness. I am grateful to have caught it in time, but I also know I am in for quite a journey.

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