02/28/2017
Heart Attitudes
Proverbs 4:23
Keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it spring the issues of life [Proverbs 4:23].
Proverbs 17:22
A merry heart does good like a medicine: but a broken spirit dries the bones [Proverbs 17:22].
The Hebrew word for merry is שמח sameach [Strong's number H8056]. Thayer's Lexicon defines sameach "as joyful, merry, or glad". Sameach in Proverbs 17:22, is translated by some bible versions as "cheerful, joyful, and even rejoicing". The Hebrew word for heart is לב leb. Thayer's Lexicon defines leb, as the inner man, mind, will, heart, or understanding.
One can conclude that a merry, cheerful, joyful, and rejoicing inner man is a good medicine to the body. The Amplified Bible reads, "A happy heart is good medicine and a cheerful mind works healing, but a broken spirit dries up the bones" [AMP].
Proverbs 3:5-8
Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths. Do not be wise in your own eyes. Fear the LORD and depart from evil. It will be health to your flesh, and strength to your bones [Proverbs 3:5-8 and Proverbs 3:8].
Trusting in the Lord; allowing God to direct your path in life; departing from evil because you recognize your accountability to God; will bring health to your whole being. If "trusting, acknowledging, and fearing the LORD, is "health to all your flesh". Then logically we could say that the reverse of those heart attitudes will be disease to all your flesh. The Bible is warning you, that the heart attitudes of being, wise in your own eyes [pride]; leaning to your own understanding [trusting self]; and not displaying the reverential fear of the LORD that departs from evil; will destroy your flesh.
Proverbs 3:21-22
My son, let them not depart from your eyes- Keep sound wisdom and discretion. So they will be life to your soul and grace to your neck [Proverbs 3:21-22 and Proverbs 3:21-22].
Psalms 41:1-3
Blessed is he who considers the poor; The LORD will deliver him in time of trouble. The LORD will preserve him and keep him alive, And he will be blessed on the earth. You will not deliver him to the will of his enemies. The LORD will strengthen him on his bed of illness. You will sustain him on his sickbed [See Psalms 41:3]. God gives a healing promise for considering the poor.
Worry and Anxiety
The Bible revealed several millenniums ago the correlation between anxiety, worry, stress and disease.
Proverbs 12:25
Anxiety in the heart of man causes depression, But a good word makes it glad [Proverbs 12:25].
Proverbs 15:13
A merry heart makes a cheerful countenance; but by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken [Proverbs 15:13].
Proverbs 15:15
All the days of the afflicted are evil, But he who is of a merry heart has a continual feast [Proverbs 15:15].
Proverbs 17:22
A merry heart does good like a medicine; but a broken spirit dries the bones [Proverbs 17:22].
Matthew 6:25-31
Jesus Christ said, "Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing? Now if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will He not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? Therefore do not worry, saying, What shall we eat? or What shall we drink? or What shall we wear? [Matthew 6:25-31].
Luke 12:22-31
And do not seek what you should eat or what you should drink, nor have an anxious mind. For all these things the nations of the world seek after, and your Father knows that you need these things. But seek the kingdom of God, and all these things shall be added to you [Luke 12:22-31].
Matthew 11:28-30
Come unto me, all you that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light [Matthew 11:28-30].
Philippians 4:6-7
The Apostle Paul said, "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus" [Philippians 4:6-7].