May 25

I have known and read the Proverbs below for many years. Today, greater revelation came.

Proverbs 17:22 (NIV)
22 A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.

Proverbs 18:14 (NIV)
14 A man’s spirit sustains him in sickness, but a crushed spirit who can bear?

I have always looked at these Proverbs and said a hardy Amen! But there is more than hope for a spirit that is strong. It is as if the Lord is saying – strengthen your Spirit! The crushed spirit is an overwhelmed spirit – hmmm… Also, heartache crushes the spirit. I can’t help but think of one of my favorite Proverbs to quote to my kids, “Above all else guard your heart, for it is the well spring of life.” The Lord is nearly screaming at me (not in a bad way) to give Him all of my heart and life so I can’t be “under-whelmed”. At first I thought that I was to build up my spirit through worship and prayer, especially in the spirit, but now I see the “key” is to constantly give my heart (inner life) to God. (Worship and prayer are keys as well). That will produce the strong spirit I need to NOT submit to sickness or any other trial that comes into my life, but to be sustained. (Which means to be contained as does a vessel or to provide with food).