Proverbs 17:15-28
Reflect
“A happy heart is good medicine and a joyful mind causes healing, but a broken spirit dries up the bones.” Prov 17:22 (Amplified Bible)
Life is not all roses and sunshine. So, how does one have a happy heart and a joyful mind? Some of the most pleasant and joy-filled people I know have two things in common: They have all walked through deep valleys, and they refuse to give up. Their expressions of tenacity are unique to them.
One person I know has a daily teatime of setting out a pot of tea, biscuits, and fine china, sometimes just for themselves, grateful they can enjoy this delight since they are no longer in a psychiatric hospital. Another person paints in oil and watercolor through their ongoing pain. Yet another pushes themselves to daily walk and be refreshed outdoors. What is profound in my observation is how they meet God in their practices and reflect His joy and beauty in the process.
Contrastingly, I also know those whose life has withered and dried up. Their circumstances were not necessarily more challenging, but when things became difficult, they gave up on themselves and on life. Truly, they gave up on God.
Read Hebrews 12:1-3. Ask Holy Spirit if there is an inner belief or an activity that is hindering your tenacity to live into joy, a fruit of the Spirit?
Pastor Melissa
Pray
- Pray through the prayer section in our program.
- Pray for our Congregational Life Pastor, Mike Bartusek and his family.
- Pray for Dave Schneider, our Youth and Worship Pastor and Erin Gibbard, Youth Ministry Associate.
- Pray for our Hospitality Coordinator, Irene Dickau.