A cheerful heart is good medicine,
but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.
Proverbs 17:22 NIV
Cheerful
If you’re 60 or older, you’re likely among the happiest Canadians in the country. If you’re under 30, however, it’s a different story. That’s according to the recently released World Happiness Report, which found that older Canadians are by far the country’s happiest demographic, ranking eighth out of more than 140 countries. Taking into account all ages, Canada placed 15th overall on the ranking, a drop of two spots from last year. However, when it comes to young Canadians, their happiness levels ranked 58th overall, among the lowest in the G7.
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The fact that the happiness level of young Canadians ranks 58th in the world ought to cause us concern. Unhappiness has an effect on so much of our lives. It can impact our physical health as well as our emotional and psychological. This is nothing new. As King Solomon looked at his world through the eyes of the wisdom God had given him, he records this in Proverbs 17:22: “A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.” Joy is good medicine. There is nothing as cathartic as a hearty laugh. The opposite is also true. As our society slides away from our Christian roots, a generation has grown up with no purpose in this life and no promise of life beyond the grave. They have never been told that they have been lovingly created by a God who loves them and has provided Jesus to draw them to Him. The joy that Jesus provides is the antidote to hopelessness and a crushed spirit. Jesus loves you so much and He longs to fill your heart with His joy.
These have been words from the heart.
Bob Beasley