15 All the days of the oppressed are wretched,
but the CHEERFUL HEART has a continual feast. Proverbs 15:15 NIV
15 When a man is gloomy, everything seems to go wrong; when HE IS CHEERFUL, EVERYTHING SEEMS RIGHT! TLB (Our perspective/view of life can help change everything)
15 A miserable heart means a miserable life;
A CHEERFUL HEART FILLS THE DAY WITH SONG. MSG
15 the life of a SECURE SOUL is a CONTINUAL FEAST. WYC
HEART ATTITUDE IS SO IMPORTANT FOR BELIEVERS!
Interesting that Proverbs, the main Wisdom Book, has much to say about a Cheerful Heart and it’s benefits upon our lives. (If you need to go deeper into this do a word search for ‘Cheerful’ in Biblehub and get yourself some verses to memorise and meditate/chew on, day and night.)
25 Anxiety weighs down the heart,
but A KIND WORD (Something so Simple) CHEERS IT UP. Proverbs 12 NIV
Remember Barnabas was known as ‘Son of encouragement’. The plain truth is that people like to be around those who are encouraging. Paul needed someone with that gift/disposition with all the trials he went through.
22 A CHEERFUL HEART IS A GOOD MEDICINE,
but a crushed spirit dries up the bones. Proverbs 17
A ‘Change of Heart’ can literally bring LIFE to our bodies!
6 We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; 7 if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; 8 if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; IF IT IS TO SHOW MERCY, DO IT CHEERFULLY. Romans 12
God has given us different gifts, which is part of the reason we don’t always see things the same way – we’re wired differently, that’s how God made us individually. But we are to be as one body with the Lord as our head, directing and the body works harmoniously when we function with the RIGHT ATTITUDES.
7 GO, EAT YOUR FOOD WITH GLADNESS, AND DRINK YOUR WINE WITH A JOYFUL HEART, for God has already approved what you do. Ecclesiastes 9
It’s NOT God’s will for His Children to be serious all the time! The above verse was spoken to my heart once while on holiday.
19 This is what the Lord Almighty says: “The fasts of the fourth, fifth, seventh and tenth months will become JOYFUL AND GLAD OCCASIONS AND HAPPY FESTIVALS FOR JUDAH. Therefore love truth and peace.” Zechariah 8
God, the best Father ever, wants us His Children to be happy. The devil and religion wants all people to be bound and oppressed. Don’t give them that privilege in your life, where you rule and reign by God’s indwelling Spirit.
God bless and encourage our hearts today.