Selah

     


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A merry heart maketh a cheerful countenance: but by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken.


A glad heart makes a cheerful face.

Proverbs 15:13

~

I’ve always loved this verse in Proverbs. 

It says almost the same thing in 17:22

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

~

God isn’t really giving us much instruction here is he?

He’s just giving us some useful information and leaving the choice to us.

He doesn’t say that there won’t be times when we are sorrowful, dried up, or crushed.

He simply gives us a comparison and the free will to make our own choices.


I choose a glad heart, a joyful heart, a merry heart. 

I acknowledge the sorrows in my life but I choose not to dwell on them.

Rather, to hand them over to God who knows how to deal with them better than I ever could. 

And when I do that, when I realize and remember that God loves me enough

To take care of my troubles...

My heart is so full of joy that there is not room for anything else. 

I do not say that this has always been easy.

At 57 years of age I have been through some sorrows.

I have spent some time with anger and resentment.

I do know what a crushed spirit feels like. 

Those things truly do make me more thankful than ever for my faith

In a God that never fails me.

~ ~ ~

Sunday scripture blessings

Scripture and a snapshot

Purposeful faith

Anchored truth tuesday

Tell his story

Heart encouragement


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Comments

  1. Bernhard26 September 2020 at 10:40

    nice shot

    ReplyDelete
  2. Ginny Hartzler26 September 2020 at 15:57

    You speak the truth for sure! We must encourage others! this is a beautiful picture of sweet Abigail!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Michele Morin27 September 2020 at 06:27

    This is such a powerful declaration, and I know it's not fluff.
    I just finished reading Philippians where Paul says, "Rejoice in the Lord." Those last 3 words are the key to rejoicing.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Joanne Viola27 September 2020 at 07:30

    Not sure why, but I left a comment earlier and it didn't appear. Anyway, as I continued thinking on your post, a song that I have been humming for days now came back to mind and I'll share it. May it bless and encourage you as it has me :)
    https://youtu.be/BrenLCs53EM

    ReplyDelete
  5. Peabea Scribbles27 September 2020 at 08:27

    By a sad heart the Spirit is broken, but Praise Jesus that the Spirit within helps to get back to the glad, meery, and cheerful heart. We cannot do that on our own. It is hard to stay in a sad heart because of the weight that one feels pulling downward to places we do not want to go. I love that God made us humans to bounce back from so much of what life throws. Have a great week.

    ReplyDelete
  6. elizabeth27 September 2020 at 09:12

    This post as well as the comments is what I needed this morning. I have had a recent crushing disappointment in a friendship I held dear. I have not had a merry heart for the last few weeks, but a broken spirit. I know that God wants to heal my broken heart. I know that we are all sinners and in need of a Savior and I should not be surprised when people sin and fail us. Yet, it still comes as a shock to me that people can be so unkind even though at 63 years old I should know better! I am asking for God to restore my joy.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Miaismine27 September 2020 at 14:59

    Yes! And amen! Hugs to you!

    ReplyDelete
  8. Kym 27 September 2020 at 23:45

    the encouragement, healing, and blessing of joy and laughter is so powerful - Rejoice in the Lord!

    ReplyDelete
  9. Meditations in Motion29 September 2020 at 11:44

    As the years go by, the chances of us feeling heartbreak grows. This year is especially hard to remember to find the joy in each day. Thank you for the reminder that we always have the option to choose joy. And how could you not choose joy, looking into that joyful little face?

    ReplyDelete
  10. Jennifer29 September 2020 at 19:46

    Oh my, how wonderful to have a heart so full of joy there is not room for anything else!! I know that cute one gives you extra joy:)

    ReplyDelete

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