Kim's Journey to Joy

Proverbs 17:22 (Living Bible) advises, “A cheerful heart does good like medicine, but a broken spirit makes one sick.”  

A cheerful heart. What does that look like to you?  I have been thinking about this a lot lately.  

Years ago, I used to laugh…a lot…and loud. I was often ridiculed because of it and I let it bother me to the point of stifling my laughter. Then life began to bring difficulties, heartaches, and sorrows that were overwhelming. I eventually let what others think of me and life circumstances steal my joy and laughter. I have decided this must stop!  

• Are there still difficulties? Yes! 

• Are there still heartaches? Yes! 

• Is there still sorrow? Yes!  

As long as we live in this fallen world there will be pain and sorrow. Still, we have the choice to turn our eyes to the One who loves and cares for us. We can choose joy through sorrow. He is more than capable of carrying our sorrow for us. I’m letting Him do that for me and decided to start laughing again!  

I love to laugh, and I’m asking the Lord to restore the joy of my salvation. I have so much to be joyful about – what love the Father has lavished on me. What joy there is in serving Him, trusting Him, and loving Him!  

Laughter is contagious. I visit one of my doctor’s offices every two weeks where one of the front desk ladies laughs loudly. I can hear her on the other side of the building. It always makes me smile. Sometimes it makes me laugh – even though I have no idea what she is laughing about. 

How about you? Do you have a cheerful heart today? Laugh aloud and spread it to those around you. The world needs it now more than ever. 

Over the next several months, I will be exploring what cultivating a cheerful heart looks like in a practical sense. Eating the elephant one bite at a time. I hope you will join me and that your heart will cultivate true and lasting joy.