Crushed vs. Merry

Proverbs 17:22 -NKJ - A merry heart does good, like medicine, But a broken spirit dries the bones.

Another Version puts it this way - A cheerful disposition is good for your health; gloom and doom leave you bone-tired.

What is a Crushed Spirit?

Webster defines Crushed as to squeeze or force by pressure so as to alter or destroy structure.

Webster defines Spirit as temper or disposition of mind or outlook.

So someone with a crushed spirit would be someone with a destroyed mind or psyche within the context of this verse.

Hebrew word for crushed translates stricken.
Hebrew word for spirit translates mental acts.
So it could be translated stricken mental acts.

This is talking about those who are depressed and dejected. We all know those sad sack people. These are people who are slumped over and keep their eyes to the ground when the walk around and they rarely, if ever, smile. But they are more than posture; they are people whom whenever you talk with them they are going through the worst period of their lives. Everyday brings about a new tragedy or catastrophe in their lives. If they do not have one they search hard to find one.

What is a Cheerful Heart?

Webster defines cheerful as full of good spirits or conducive to cheer: likely to dispel gloom or worry.

Heart is defined as the central or innermost part.

Someone with a cheerful heart would be someone with good spirits in their innermost parts or mind within context of the verse.

Hebrew translates cheerful as joy or rejoicing.
Hebrew translates heart as inner man.
So this could translate to joy in the inner man.

These are the people that bring joy where they go. They are the ones that make you smile as soon as they walk up to you. They are the ones who take the days that give them lemons and make lemonade. These are the people who find the positive side to situations that happen in live.

The question is which of these defines us – crushed or merry? It is a choice we have each day and in each situation of life, so what is your choice going to be? I am planning on making lemonade instead of whining today. I am planning on laughing and smiling rather than being down and depressed. What about you today?

We will continue to talk about the idea of smiling and laughing this week.

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5 thoughts on “Crushed vs. Merry”

I struggle sometimes understanding people who walk around with the weight of the world on their shoulders and act like they have lost their last friend. My personality tends to be “up” and when I am down it usually lasts maybe a day or two or even less. I have too much to be grateful for to be “woe is me.” I also love to laugh (and get upset when people don’t laugh at my jokes). Looking forward to reading more this week Jim.