THE GREAT PHYSICIAN’S PRESCRIPTION: A DAILY DOSE OF JOY
A joyful heart is good medicine, but a broken spirit dries up the bones.
Proverbs 17:22
Without thinking about the inference, Susie recently complained about her short, stubby legs. Laughing, I replied, “You can’t look over at me and say that because I have definitely got you beat in that department. Actually, I think I’ve cornered the market on that one!” (Both my legs were amputated above the knee.) We both laughed for a long time. Bringing levity into the challenges and trials of life keeps them from defining and depressing me. With the authenticity of God’s word and our words, we have the power to define any situation in which we find ourselves. We must learn to see our challenges from a divine perspective, the perspective of God’s providence and purpose. It is a day-by-day, sometimes moment-by-moment, struggle to choose to agree with God’s direction for our lives. Most of us have our voices and our choices. We can choose life, joy, and godliness daily and can choose to lift our voices in praise to the Lord.
An example of realizing God’s divine providence in scripture is the story of Joseph being sold by own his brothers into slavery because his dreams offended them. But later he was elevated to a high position in Egypt that ultimately allowed him to save not only his own family but the nation of Israel from annihilation. Joseph became a household servant, then was falsely accused by his owner’s wife and cast into prison. The Lord enabled Joseph to interpret dreams for fellow prisoners and eventually to interpret a dream for the Pharaoh. This dream was a prophecy of an upcoming famine. Pharaoh appointed Joseph as his second in command, entrusting him to plan ahead for the preservation of Egypt during the famine. Ironically, the brothers who had sold Joseph into slavery traveled to Egypt to request food for their families. Joseph recognized them, but they did not recognize him because he was now an adult and attired as an Egyptian. When they discovered the true identity of this intimidating authority, they trembled in fear of retaliation, perhaps even fear for their lives. In Genesis 50:20, Joseph said to his brothers, “As for you, what you intended against me for evil, God intended for good, in order to accomplish a day like this—to preserve the lives of many people.” Joseph, the dreamer, chose to see the providence of God in his series of painful predicaments and to extend mercy and forgiveness to his brothers.
People laughed at the dream, the vision, the Lord gave to Susan of being His instrument to proclaim His gospel of grace. Many times, she was tempted to believe her purpose would never be fulfilled. She continued to choose joy, finding the humor in her unique predicaments. Today, after writing several books, we continue to trust that Jesus will enable both of us to do all that He calls us to do together.
Allow yourself to seek out humor, particularly in difficult situations. It’s okay to laugh. God says it is like medicine. Follow the instructions of the Great Physician and have a joyful heart.
Father, our pursuit of You is intentional and many times intense. However, help us to embrace joy and laughter even during times of trial. You are the Source of our joy.