All the days of the afflicted are evil: but he that is of a merry heart hath a continual feast.
Proverbs 15:15
In this life we will all face hard times. We are all afflicted in some way. If not today, you will be soon. It’s just the way life is. Sin abounds all around us, which means we are troubled on every side. (We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; 2 Corinthians 4:8)
So how is it that we can handle these stresses? This perpetual up and down roller coaster of life?
We make sure to have the Holy Spirit living in our heart. He is the only true source of joy and peace there is on this earth. All other sources of happiness are fleeting, temporary, and have the ability to break our hearts one day.
What to feast on in order to have a merry heart
Our verse above, Proverbs 15:15 says ‘he that is of a merry heart hath a continual feast.’ So what is that merry person feasting on? Here are some other verses to encourage this merriment in your heart, even on the toughest days:
Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.
Philippians 4:8
Think on all these positive things. When the negative overwhelms your life and your mind, you have to ON PURPOSE redirect your thoughts. Think about God’s goodness, and his lovingkindness, how He has blessed in the past, and promises to be wth us always.
It shall be health to thy navel, and marrow to thy bones.
Proverbs 3:8
Feast on a steady diet of the Word of God. More often than normal, when hard times come, read your Bible! It doesn’t matter where you start, or what chapter or book you start reading from. Just read. God will lead you to read verses that will be a comfort to your soul, and soothing to your heart.
Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.
Hebrews 10:25
Don’t stop hanging around with fellow Christians. Don’t stop going to Church. Don’t skip the outings, and social gatherings. Sometimes our first instinct when we are struggling is to isolate ourselves and “deal with it on our own”. If other Christians around you are doing their job right, they will be an encouragement to you, and will lift you up when you need an extra dose of joy.
