There is so much heartache around us and sometimes it feels like there is no end. But according to the words of Proverbs healing is available. “A joyful heart makes a cheerful face, but when the heart is sad, the spirit is broken”(Proverbs 15:13). “A joyful heart is good medicine, but a broken spirit dries up the bones” (Proverbs 17:22).
When we look at the heartache either in the lives of the people around us or in our own lives, we can feel the words of Proverbs. It’s like our spirit is broken or we can feel like our bones have been totally and completely dried up.
We can sometimes ask ourselves a few straight-forward and simple questions. Questions such as: How many times do I have to be knocked down before I won’t be able to get up again? What will it take to keep me from getting back up again, no matter how many times I get knocked down? These are two perspectives we are faced with when our spirit feels like it has been broken and we can’t go on. I think as a Christian it’s important to focus on the second question, even though the first may still enter our minds.
The answer to the second question lies within the first part of both verses that were referred to in Proverbs. The answer is “Joy.” Having a joyful heart will give you the ability to look beyond any barriers or obstacles that you might be facing. Having a joyful heart is the wise thing to do.
In our Indigenous communities we look to our elders for wisdom, and so we should. When we look at the Scriptures we are looking to the Elders of the Bible. They are our biblical ancestors who went before us and paved the way for our walk with God. The Bible was written by the prophets and these prophets are our ancestors. So with that we look to the Scriptures to find wisdom from ages past.
The Book of Proverbs is all about obtaining wisdom. Having a joyful heart is part of this wisdom. Within this book are nuggets of wisdom that can be found and mined. Not only can they be found, but they are of great value. You may ask: “What in the world does that mean?” Well, here’s a brief explanation.
When we obtain wisdom we are receiving something of tremendous value. At the beginning of Proverbs it tells us what obtaining wisdom is all about. “Tune your ears to wisdom, and concentrate on understanding. Cry out for insight, and ask for understanding. Search for them as you would for silver; seek them like hidden treasures. Then you will understand what it means to fear the Lord, and you will gain knowledge of God” (Proverbs 2:2-5).
When we obtain wisdom we gain understanding, and then we begin to see that a joyful heart will bring us a cheerful face. It’s like finding silver and hidden treasure. Who doesn’t want to do that? This treasure is not only of great value but it is a shield to guard our paths, and it protects us.
Having a joyful heart will shield us from the fiery darts that come our way. Having a joyful heart will guide our paths from all enemies. Having a joyful heart will protect us from all that wants to harm us. Joy has the power to heal a broken spirit and to heal our bones with medicine, because they have been dried up. Yet, this medicine is spiritual medicine.
There can be many aspects to joy. Joy can be laughing with friends and neighbors over tea and bannock. Joy can be spending time with loved ones. Joy can be sitting around a fire and talking about the good old days, or better yet, about future dreams and plans. Joy can be watching a funny movie together. Joy can be going for a long walk in the woods, and forgetting about the hustle and bustle of society. Joy can be so many things.
As long as this joy that you are experiencing is in line with biblical principles, it can really change your attitude and perspective on life. Worrying about our problems doesn’t make them go away, it just makes them feel bigger than they actually are. Joy has the potential to make you forget about your problems (in a good and healthy way).
Being joyful isn’t just about smiling and pretending there’s nothing wrong. Having a joyful heart means that you are embracing wisdom and gaining understanding. That’s the type of joy that lasts for a lifetime and helps you heal your broken heart. That’s the type of joy that brings medicine and nourishment to your dried up bones.
Perry Stelter is originally from Alexander First Nation with his wife and their two daughters. They live in Edmonton, Alberta.
