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February 22, 2005
A Reason For Optimism
A merry heart does good, like medicine. —Proverbs
17:22
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The Bible isn't a
psychology textbook, but it gives us the wisest counsel for experiencing
happiness here and now. Proverbs 17:22, for example, assures us that "a
merry heart does good, like medicine, but a broken spirit dries the
bones."
That
simple statement was recently corroborated by the extensive research of Dr.
Daniel Mark, a heart specialist at Duke
University. The New York Times article that reported
his findings carried this headline: "Optimism Can Mean Life for Heart
Patients and Pessimism Death." The article begins with these words:
"A healthy outlook helps heal the heart."
But Dr. Nancy
Frasure-Smith, a heart specialist who has studied the effect of depression,
anxiety, and anger, admitted, "We don't know how to change negative
emotions."
Faith in
God, however, can produce that change. People who look beyond their present
difficulty and put their trust in God's goodness cannot help but be joyful.
It's
significant that our Savior said on several occasions, "Be of good
cheer" (Matthew 9:2,22; 14:27;
Acts 23:11). Knowing that life is
filled with many crises, He encourages us with this word of reassurance:
"Be of good cheer, I have overcome the world" (John 16:33). —Vernon
Grounds
All
your anxiety, all your care
Bring to the mercy seat, leave it there;
Never a burden He cannot bear,
Never a friend like Jesus. —Joy
No matter what happens, you can find
joy in the Lord.
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