← Back to Blog

A Cheerful Heart-by Heidi McLaughlin

Posted: January 10, 2021

After 11 months of having our lives bulldozed with pandemic restrictions, watching the hatred and anger in the world, it seems like there is little room for cheer.  Along with the dreariness of the dark and bleak January months, cheer feels like something we used to have. Back in the day. After spending extended time in the Bible in the book of Proverbs I realize once again how important it is to have a cheerful heart:

“A happy heart makes a face cheerful” (Proverbs 15:13).

“ But the cheerful heart has a continued feast” (Proverbs 15:15).

“A cheerful look brings joy to the heart” (Proverbs 15:30).

“A cheerful heart is good medicine” (Proverbs 17:22).

I want that cheer! There are two words in each of those Proverbs that jump at me and give me hope. “Cheerful” and  “heart.” Then in Proverbs 4:23 it says: “Above all else (Italics mine) guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life. Wow, that tells me I am the one in control over whether or not I have a cheerful heart.

You and I control whether or not we have a cheerful heart.

Wouldn’t you love a continual feast of cheer? If you’ve read my book FRESH JOY you know that we need joy to have a cheerful heart.  Joy lives inside of us, it is the denomination of Heaven and we have access to it 24/7. So, aside from making that intentional choice to choose joy, what are some other ways we can evoke a cheerful heart when the hours are long and hard?

• I surround myself with bright lights. During these dark times I place an extra lamp on my working desk. Also, as soon as it gets dark I light up all my candles. I have 13 remote candles and when they’re all lit up it gives me a cheerful heart.
• I keep a regular “sleep schedule.” To stay strong, positive and cheerful we have to get regular rest and sleep. All my social media and screens are turned off at 9:30 and I read “paper” books until I get sleepy. This regular nighttime routine assures me of a good nights sleep and keeps me healthy and mentally strong. It also gives me a better chance of having a cheerful heart.
• Soak yourself in God’s word. When we’re surrounded with dismal news, conspiracy theories and negative conversations we need to go to a source that will give us joy and a cheerful heart. God’s truth. Start each day immersing yourself in words that will give you that hope. Why not Google all verses in the Bible that has the word “joy” and “cheer” in them. You’ll be surprised how those verses will lift your spirits.
• You’ll get tired of me saying this, but by now you know that thankfulness is the super highway to joy and the good medicine of cheer. So take time each day to be thankful for at least 5 things, but hopefully 10.  It will change your perspective and heart.
• And go and have some FUN. Get creative and just do something to make you laugh out loud.

With God’s help and lots of initiative on our part, we can determine to come through this difficult time of history with a cheerful heart. I know you want a cheerful heart that is good medicine for your soul.  God will give it you.  Simply ask and then do what God tells you to do.

 

 

 

 

 

Posted in: all alone, beauty and pain coexist, cheerful heart, Covid-19, decisions, feeling good, fresh joy, happy heart, joy, Laughter, Making Wise Choices, pray, recapture your joy, sleep, thankful