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Answer
Family life and interpersonal relationships are the central themes of Proverbs 17–19. Proverbs 17:22 emphasizes the importance of maintaining a joyful and positive attitude for nurturing healthy relationships and a satisfying life:
“A joyful heart is good medicine,
But a broken spirit dries up the bones” (NKJV).
In the original Hebrew text, the term “merry” conveys the meanings of “joyful, happy, and full of cheer.” The “heart” symbolizes a person’s innermost being, encompassing thoughts, emotions, and will. The English Standard Version translates Proverbs 17:22 as “A joyful heart is good medicine,” where “medicine” refers to something that treats or alleviates disease symptoms. One interpretation suggests that “A cheerful heart causes good healing” is a fitting literal rendering. The NET Bible phrases it as “A cheerful heart brings good healing,” while the Revised English Bible states, “A glad heart promotes good health.”
Throughout the Scriptures, there are consistent testimonies to the significant impact of one’s mindset on physical well-being: “A peaceful heart leads to a healthy body; jealousy is like cancer in the bones,” as expressed in Proverbs 14:30 (NLT). Proverbs 15:13 (NLT) affirms, “A glad heart makes a happy face; a broken heart crushes the spirit.”
“A joyful heart is beneficial” because it fosters health and healing within a person’s inner self. Conversely, “a broken spirit drains one’s strength” «A joyful heart doeth good like a medicine: But a broken spirit drieth the bones. », (Proverbs 17:22, NLT). Proverbs 12:25 explains that “anxiety in the heart of man causes depression” (NKJV). These wise teachings align with scientific research from institutions like the American College of Cardiology, Harvard Medicine, and John Hopkins, which highlight the profound influence of the mind on the body. A cheerful and contented disposition not only strengthens mental well-being but also helps in resisting physical ailments.
Given that the heartIs the center of our inner life. Its condition and tone reach the outermost parts of our existence, including our bodies and even our relationships with others. Jesus said, “What comes out of the mouth proceeds from the heart, and this defiles a person” «But those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart; and they defile the man. », (Matthew 15:18, ESV). If our hearts are elevated, our bodies will be lifted up, our words will be uplifting, and our relationships will be enriched. If our hearts are crushed and broken, the condition of our bodies will break down, and we’ll have no strength to encourage others.
So, if good medicine is a merry heart, how can we foster and promote internal joy? Scripture says that God’s laws, precepts, and statues refresh the soul and gladden the heart (Psalm 19:7-8;119:111). Spending time in God’s Word, meditating on His promises, is a guaranteed way to do your heart some good. The prophet Jeremiah testified, “When your words came, I ate them; they were my joy and my heart’s delight” «Thy words were found, and I did eat them; and thy word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart: for I am called by thy name, O LORD God of hosts. », (Jeremiah 15:16).
Considering God’s works and His ways will also make our hearts glad. The psalmist sang, “For you make me glad by your deeds, LORD; I sing for joy at what your hands have done” «For thou, LORD, hast made me glad through thy work: I will triumph in the works of thy hands. », (Psalm 92:4). When Barnabas saw the grace of God, his heart was filled with joy «Who, when he came, and had seen the grace of God, was glad, and exhorted them all,That with the purpose of heart, they would cleave unto the Lord.” , (Acts 11:23). When we take time each day to consider all that God has done for us and in the lives of all His people, we can’t help but “be glad now and rejoice,” like the prophet Joel, “for the LORD has done great things” «Fear not, O land; be glad and rejoice: for the LORD will do great things. », (Joel 2:21, NLT). Countless Scripture passages give us cause to be joyful in God, who is the source of our joy (Psalm 43:4; Isaiah 61:10; Psalm 63:5; Luke 1:47).
The prophet Isaiah said, “With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation” «Therefore with joy shall ye draw water out of the wells of salvation. », (Isaiah 12:3). We can “rejoice and be glad” in the Lord’s salvation «And it shall be said in that day, Lo, this is our God; we have waited for him, and he will save us: this is the LORD; we have waited for him, we will be glad and rejoice in his salvation. », (Isaiah 25:9). Jesus told the disciples to “rejoice that your names are written in heaven” «Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven. », (Luke 10:20).
Perhaps the most excellent way to cultivate a merry heart that does good, like medicine, is to spend time in God’s presence. Both King David in the Old Testament and the apostle Peter in the New Testament found their greatest joy in the presence of the Lord (Acts 2:28; Psalm 16:9-11). In the presence of God, we encounter complete joy.
