Proverbs 17:17, 22

“A friend loves at all times,
    and a brother is born for a time of adversity.

 A cheerful heart is good medicine,
    but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.”

 

So the first line of verse 17 is very powerful; I can check this off my list. Even though I am far away from my home, friends, and family, I still think about them, and I constantly pray for them. I catch up with some over Facebook and Skype. I never stop thinking about them. Why? Because they have made an imprint on my heart that can never be forgotten. And I shall love them always. A few days ago, I had a friend tell me “One last thing I just had to say... you really are a great person and you are truly the most genuine person I will ever know and I really hope things are great for you because you deserve greatness.” I have had people tell me that I have a big and beautiful heart. I think what makes it easy for me to love basically everyone I meet, is because God has given such a great and awesome example Himself. He gave us life and He is forgiving when we sin against Him; He loves us all and I think the world’s problem with love is that there is always a catch, but God is unconditional.

He loves us just because.

The second half of verse 17 reads “and a brother is born for a time of adversity.” Meaning, family is made for not enduring hardships alone. Family are those you can depend on and work together with on an intimate level. And love is all included in the package as well.

“A cheerful heart is good medicine,” Other translations read as such:

“A cheerful heart does good like medicine, but a broken spirit makes one sick.”

 -Living Bible Translation

“Happiness is good medicine, but sorrow is a disease.”

 -Easy-to-Read- Version

A friend of mine once told me, that when she was younger her dad told her to be happy and laugh a lot so that she wouldn’t get sick.  She asked how that would help her stay healthy and he referred her to this verse. Ever since hearing that story, I’ve always kept this verse in my mind and my heart.

 

Dear Lord,

Thank you for these verses to help remind us of who we should be and how we should set our hearts. Thank you God for the beautiful people You put in our lives to love us and to be by our side through trials. Thank you for the wise words that teach us how our spirits should be jovial rather than broken. Your word and promises are true God, Because you are the almighty God that has the power to make it so. Thank you for loving us just the way we are.

Amen.

Mer †