It Starts Small

There’s a human condition called Emotionally Induced Illness. It’s estimated that more than 50% of people are in the hospital because of this condition. The greatest problem is that people won’t admit it. It’s symptoms are tiredness, pain, aches, and a slew of of other conditions. What is the cure?

25 Heaviness in the heart of man maketh it stoop: but a good word maketh it glad. Proverbs 12:25

A merry heart is like medicine for our spirit, mind and body.

What causes a miserable heavy heart?

Misery burdens our souls. It makes the heart and body stoop. We insist on carrying heavy loads of aches and griefs we were never meant to carry. We tend to say: “Lord, I trust you to save me, but I don’t trust you to carry this load.”

God wants us to cast our burdens on him! What does misery do to us?

1. Burdens the soul. Remember our soul part of us is the mind. Carrying excessive burdens causes our minds to break.

13 A merry heart maketh a cheerful countenance: but by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken. Proverbs 15:13

2. Burdens break our spirit. Holding onto worry, doubt, fear, self distrust, and despair breaks our spirit.

22 A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones. Proverbs 17:22

3. Buries the body. A broken spirit kills the body and endures psychosomatic sickness.

I’ve met people who are comfortable being miserable. They are so comfortable in their misery that they try to spread their misery like a disease. They want to spread their misery and see to it that those who are happy and joyful, become broken. Most of us can agree, when we feel miserable, we don’t want to stay there. Misery is a warning system that something is not right in our heart.

We need to learn to master a happy heart. God gives us medicine to have a healthy heart. Proverbs 17:22 says joy is the cure to what ails our heart. We need to learn three things about joy.

But those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart; and they defile the man. Matthew 15:18

1. Seat of Joy: what comes out of the mouth, comes out of the heart. As man thinks, it comes from his heart. The source of how we act and speak comes out of our hearts. It does not depend upon things, thrills or emotions. It’s not circumstance that dictates what we say and do. It’s what is in our heart.

He that handleth a matter wisely shall find good: and whoso trusteth in the Lord, happy is he. Proverbs 16:20

2. Source of Joy: trusting the Lord is our greatest source of joy!

These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full. John 15:11

The source of our joy comes from Jesus: there are three things we have a deep need for:

Someone to love, love Jesus.

Someone to serve, serve Jesus.

Something to hope for, hope in Jesus.

Only through Jesus can we find these things. We were designed this way so that we would never be satisfied or filled with things of this world. That doesn’t mean we can never love our husbands, wives or children. It means we can’t love them until we love Jesus FIRST!

3. Strength of Joy: joy is a strong medicine (Proverbs 17:22) The Joy of the Lord our strength. This last week was a test in joy. I don’t know how I managed on a few hours of sleep get through this last week, except to be joyful. I don’t understand, but I just praise and rejoice in a Savior that is faithful!

4. Stability of Joy: we have a continued stream. Of joy, should we choose Jesus.

All the days of the afflicted are evil: but he that is of a merry heart hath a continual feast. Proverbs 15:15

God promises two things: the wicked shall be continually wicked and the righteous shall continually reap joy. Every kick has a kick back. Those who do evil, will be kicked by evil. Those who do good will continually be kicked with joy. Jesus said, my joy will remain in you. Satan’s Joy never lasts. Seeking joy outside of Jesus is an earthly death.

Finally, how does this medicine minister to us? It’s a silly question, but why does God give us a joyful heart and how do we get it?

1. Seeking: this joy is to be sought everyday. Day by day we must receive his joy.

A merry heart maketh a cheerful countenance: but by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken. Proverbs 15:13

This is not an automatic pill dispenser. We must seek God with all our hearts and abide in. Him so that he abides within us and fills us with joy.

2. Seen: we like to pick on the cheerful and joyful people. Especially when we are wearing the crown of misery. We can’t stand to be around happy people. They grit against our nerves. It’s actually a form of deep envy. When we are filled with joy our heart brings about cheerfulness. We show our joy on our sleeves. Is our joy written all over our face?

3. Shared: joy can be infectious to the right heart. Joy strengthens us so we ca;give to others what they need. You can’t serve with a miserable heart. Only with pure joy can you give your time, talent, money, and self to serve. God fills us with joy to share with them the source of that joy. You can’t tell others of the wonderful things Christ has done i your life all the while being miserable.

Joy is the source of healing and the confidence we need to keep seeking its source. To keep taking steps of faith. Joy is not dictated by good or bad circumstances. It’s fountain comes from Jesus.

Are you experiencing joy, unlimited joy in your life?