Day 174: The Perfect Prescription

Today’s Scripture: Proverbs 17:22

Central Thought: Developing an attitude of cheerfulness will help us in our Christian walk.

Pharmaceuticals spend millions, if not billions, finding just the right medicines to market. They not only want the medicines to work, but they also want the medicine to fit a need that a number of people have. They understand that the bigger the need met, the better the product. However, there is a medicine that is far more useful—and far less expensive.

Today’s reading shows us that ‘a joyful heart is good medicine.” Conversely, ‘a crushed spirit dries up the bones.” In other words, the condition of our hearts has a lot to do with our outlook on life. Cheerful Christians find God’s joy no matter what trial they may have to go through. Those who are broken in spirit find it difficult to comprehend the joy God has for them. Having a cheerful heart is contagious. Others see this cheerfulness and find it uplifting to their own dispositions.

We can have a cheerful heart by allowing God to fill us with His joy. His joy does not depend on our whims or circumstances. Rather, it is focused on who Christ is and what He has done.

Devotional Prayer: Thank You for the healing Your joy brings to my life.

Today’s Bible Reading: 2 Kings 3:1-4:17; Acts 14:8-28; Psalm 140:1-13; Proverbs 17:22