Proverbs 17:22 – “A joyful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.”

You have heard the saying, “Smile a while and give your face a rest,” right?    It is an adage based on the theory that it takes more muscles to frown than to smile.   Remember the chorus of yesteryear?  Smile Awhile And Give Your Face A Rest Raise Your Hand To The One You Love The Best…”

After extensive research, the scientific community has not consistently concluded how many are required for either.   However, the smile—transmitted consciously or subconsciously—is viewed across cultures as a sign of friendliness, especially when greeting others.   Frowns are considered an expression of disapproval, sadness, or rejection.  Therefore, a smile elicits a far better response than a frown.

There are forty-three muscles in the face; most are controlled by the seventh cranial nerve (facial nerve).  That nerve exits the cerebral cortex and emerges from the skull just in front of our ears.   It splits into five primary branches: temporal, zygomatic, buccal, mandibular, and cervical.   Those branches impact different portions of the face and enervate muscles that allow the face to twist and contort into various expressions.

The Bible says that a merry heart does good, like medicine. (Proverbs 17:22).   It also says a broken spirit dries the bones.   Ezekiel spoke of the Valley of Dry Bones, but what about in the natural body when the bones are dry?  What does that mean?  It is an indication of an unhealthy condition that can lead to many worse things.

We need healthy bones just as we need healthy spirits.  Our bones provide support and structure for our bodies.  Our spirits do the same for our lives.  Our bones protect our vital organs, such as the brain, heart, and lungs, from impact and injury.  

Our spirits do the same for our inner man.  Our bones store essential minerals such as calcium and phosphorus that are necessary for various bodily functions, including muscle contraction and transmission.   Our spirits likewise enable us to function spiritually. Our bones produce blood cells in the bone marrow, which plays a vital role in fighting infections and keeping us healthy.   Our spirits keep us connected to the Blood of Jesus, which keeps us whole.

We do not want dry bones, either naturally or spiritually.  Therefore, we need a Merry Heart and should follow Paul’s prescription in Philippians 4 and Ephesians 5:19. We should be like David and encourage ourselves in the LORD (1 Samuel 30:6).

Today, rather than succumbing to the mulligrubs and throwing a pity party, why not focus on God and make the choice to rejoice? Why not choose to be glad in this day the Lord has made? Why not let the inward smile reach the face and, no matter what comes, keep our focus on God and let the Joy of our hearts reach our faces even in the middle of a trial?  Why Not?  It is a Choice!

I believe the Bible teaches that Jesus is the same yesterday, today, and forever and that God will Never Ever, Ever, Ever leave us or forsake us. God does not Fail. Therefore, I choose to Rejoice and Trust Him!  I am smiling right now!

Have a great day resting in the Love of God!