A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a broken spirit saps a person’s strength. Proverbs 17:22 (NLT)
Does worry or fear weigh your heart down?
I remember working on a pilot project years ago as a paramedic. As issues started popping up and staff members began stressing out, one person chastised me for my relaxed attitude about the situation. This person was upset because I refused to worry like everyone else.
Yes, there are situations in life that require serious thought or hard decisions. However, as believers, we can choose to not live in fear.
Perhaps you think, “I am not fearful!” Fear is not just an overwhelming feeling of terror or dread. Worry, anxiety, grumpiness and an inability to laugh are all rooted in fear, too.
So, if you’re tired of feeling entrapped by anxious thoughts, take them captive (2 Corinthians 10:3-6). Use your shield of faith to extinguish the enemy’s attempts to get you worried and fearful (Ephesians 6:16). Why does Satan want you fearful? Because the enemy knows that a peaceful and cheerful heart holds incredible strength! A merry heart is like medicine and is powerful at dispelling fear.
How do you maintain a cheerful heart in the middle of tough times? Spend time in God’s Word. You’ll find that joy, peace, kindness, love and strength abound in His presence. When you keep company with God instead of your fearful thoughts, the reward is an emboldened heart that looks past fear and declares, My God shall supply all my needs! He is my refuge and strength. I trust in Him!
Deal with life’s issues, but don’t allow fear to get a foothold in your heart. God designed you to live life in His strength and full of His joy.