After completing your daily reading, come back to chat with fellow Bible readers about any reflections you have on the proverbs, introduction, or questions from today.
As our Creator, God cares about the condition of our emotional and physical health. Scripture tells us that followers of Jesus will have glorified bodies in eternity, where there will be only joy, life, and wholeness. Right now, though, we live in a fallen world where our joy is often quelled and our bodies break. These proverbs help us to live in light of the eternal comfort that awaits even as we experience the tension of being in a broken world.
Reflection Questions:
How do these proverbs define happiness? What deters health and happiness?
How do you see your mental, physical, and emotional health impacting your spiritual health?
How can you follow Proverbs 4:20–21 today?
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98 thoughts on "Health and Happiness"
Amen!
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Proverbs 14:30 hit me hard. Looking for worldly things to satisfy when I should be looking at God to provide those things that do satisfy. Also looking at wisdom and gaining understanding, so important in today’s world and not jumping to conclusions but seeking to understand. Speaking truth and Gods words to bring life to your body in illness.
A joyful heart feeds the soul of others but a crushed spirit dries bones!
I feel this. Me and husband are married 16 years today but sometimes after a long day and three young children we suffer a crushed spirit
Happiness is defined by love for the Lord and in turn we are blessed with health, joy and prosperity
A joyful heart brings life and peace to those around you.
The only thing you can control in this world is your heart posture. You create peace in any chaos by leaning on our savior.
Give Him your burdens, trust in His plan for your life and ask Him for what you need. The best example to make heaven crowded is your attitude, peace and praise. When the world has nothing to offer, we (Christians) can find relief in His promises for our eternity.
Amen ❤️
I have bpd and i have lost sight of God so much battling it and I’m learning to give my battles to Him. He will help me fight and We will win
God be with you and strengthen you. May you have courage and find your worth in Jesus who is steadfast and loving, may you be rooted in scripture to know the voice of truth, and have no fear in taking refuge in God, who calls us to pour out our hearts before him, ask us to cast all our anxieties on him because he cares for you I pray judges 6:14 to 16 over you that you go in the strength you have God will be with you.
Reflection Questions:
1. These Proverbs define happiness as a byproduct of finding wisdom. Happiness is a result of holding onto wisdom. True wisdom brings happiness. Happy are those who walk in the fear of the Lord. There also many things that deter happiness and health like the spirit of envy, unforgiveness, bitterness, and not listening and holding on to wisdom. A broken spirit deters health. Not paying close attention to Gods Word and putting it into practice deters happiness and spiritual health.
2. I see my mental, physical, and emotional health affecting my spiritual health in many ways. If I am depressed or walking in a broken spirit , the Bible says it dries up the bones. If my emotions are envy and jealousy, that can be very destructive to my spiritual health. Unforgiveness can result in physical illness if it is left to fester and turn into bitterness or even resentment. Looking at the NLT, says “A peaceful heart leads to a healthy body; jealousy is like cancer in the bones.” These things can be very detrimental to your health… Wisdom gives us a preventative way that leads to avoiding these things. And when we find ourselves emotionally dealing with these emotions, we can run to God and find the grace to help in our time of need.
3. I can follow Prov. 4:20-21 by putting into practice what it is saying . Reading Gods word daily, listening for Gods voice. I half to hide Gods words in my heart. Don’t stop searching the scriptures.
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Oh goodness….the saga of my illness and cancer journey had every part of my mental, physical and emotional health so intertwined. The tumor was on my thymus gland which is needed/responsible for hormone development. It caused catastrophic chaos to every part of not only my physical body, but also my emotional/mental well being as well simple because of where it was located. As everything spiraled and my physical health plummeted my mental and emotional well being just feel apart because my hormones were a disaster. For much of the time my faith was steadfast, and sure, but my physical illness actually altered my reality, my irrational thinkng made it so difficult many times. As difficult as it was and the fallout of it all still is, without question God was faithfully present and near. The spent cultivating knowing Jesus over the years, was my lifeline to hold onto on the chaos. He made our bodies, He designed us and He knows what we need and I had to trust that He would bring me through. He had to be my all in all. Holding on to Jesus is where we can experience happiness. I feel like I’m a bit all over the place so hope Im making sense.
Lord, we know that a life lived in commitment and surrender to you will bring us a fulfillment, and joy, good health as defined by you, and authentic happiness. As we meet in this space Lord, may your spirit be at work to lead us in your ways so we can know the life of abundance – that genuine happiness and health that comes from a heart fully devoted to you. Amen ❤️
1. Happiness seems to be so linked with a heart that is settled and at peace. I think that is true of the people I see around me that are the most happy- they have that secure peace. And to find peace we are told that it is the fruit of being wise. And where does wisdom begin? Fearing/trusting/pursuing God (Proverbs 3:5-6, 1:7)
2.
Oops continued…
2. I struggle with an anxiety disorder and if I don’t keep it in check (a combination of the spiritual help and peace God gives as I put my trust in him as well medical treatment), I can allow my worries to spiral and I doubt God’s sovereignty and goodness and become self-focussed.
3. I’m glad in SRT plans it encourages to memorise scripture to keep his wisdom in our hearts. I am guilty of being inconsistent with my quiet time and I need to prioritise this daily – especially with regards to prayer.
I’m new here. And new to the Bible in general. Right now my phy/emo/mental health has sent me searching for spiritual support. Searching for a fix, and reason. Some words that let my shoulders relax, my stomach unclench, my lungs fill fully, and my mind quiet.
I had a miscarriage at 12 weeks in March. The due date would have been in two weeks. The last 6 months have been frustrating inconsistent and disappointing. I’m so sad. Proverbs 14:30 was a light bulb. “A tranquil heart gives life to flesh, envy makes bone rot.” I realize I’m jealous. Jealous of my past self, jealous of the time gone by, jealous of what would have been. “What if…?” “I should have…been better, done different?” Are all versions of jealousy. It feels good to have this answer. I didn’t realize this was where I was until today, now it will be work to find and keep a tranquil heart.
A tranquil heart GIVES LIFE to flesh. Envy Makes Bone Rot.
Hi Mel,
I am so sorry for the loss of your baby and all the pain that comes through that experience.
You are so welcome to the SRT community and I hope that God, through this plan, continues to give you encouragement as he has today.
Thank you for your honesty. I will be praying for you. And I pray that all of us here will experience life-giving peace as we aim to get to get to know God more and live according to his wisdom.
Mel… welcome to SRT. This is a beautiful space of learning, growing, encouragement and support as we seek to know the Lord. I’m so sorry for the loss of your precious baby. May the Lord meet you right where you are you experience His life giving, peace, strength, hope and encouragement.❤️
Mel, welcome. I’m sorry for your loss and the pain this season has brought you. Praise God the scales have been removed from your eyes and your heart. I pray the LORD fills every corner of your broken heart with His presence and you are able to walk in to how deeply you are loved. Walk in freedom my dear sister.
Hi Mel, I had a similar (11 week) experience last year and ongoing health challenges since. All I can offer is that the ups and downs are real and it has deeply stretched my understanding of faith, faithfulness and health (all the kinds!). The due date week was really hard, so give yourself so much grace and know that there is a long healing and maybe a new normal as you hope for what comes next.
I’ve been part of SRT for a long time (though don’t comment often) and love the continued and consistent community to show up to even when it doesn’t feel easy
Hi Mel, I had an 11 week miscarriage in February and my would’ve been due date is also in the coming days. I’m so sorry you know this pain. The Bible is the perfect place to be when you feel like you’re drowning in sadness and need something to cling to. I have felt the Lord’s presence with me so vividly in my despair. Don’t get me wrong, it’s so hard and I know the jealously all too well, but I also know who holds my future and that is what I try to focus on. Praying for peace and a tranquil heart for you.
Praise the Lord for providing the answers in seeking for help in times of need! Drawing us to His Word, speaking intimately to us in our need AND providing us with fellow sojourners like me who can share hope and encouragement from experience with walking in faith!!!
❤️
The last four months have been the most fruitful in my faith walk of any of the previous thirty-ish years. In the past I was prone to try to fix everything myself rather than turning it over in prayer. However, what I have come to notice is … in the moments I am struggling physically, emotionally, mentally the more I am in the Word and in prayer … the more peace I have.
This is so good to hear- praise God! I also find this a challenge to me.
When I’m mentally drained, physically, drained, and emotionally drained, this definitely affects my spiritual health. When this happens, I need to refocus my eyes back on Jesus,
1. Happiness means being spiritually satisfied, and leaving nothing for the wicked.
I don’t have an answer for question 2.
3. Keeping his word in my priorities
I’m new here and this is not about the actual verses today but more “how to” use the comments. Maybe my phone but I can’t scroll to the bottom. Do uuu
That happens to me sometimes. Just have to keep trying. Maybe off to the side.
the verse that stood out to me today was Proverbs 14:30 – “A heart at peace gives life to the body but envy rots the bones.”
When it comes to the relationship between mental/physical health and spiritual health, I should start off by saying I have had mostly good health (with a few minor set backs) thus far in my life (thanks be to God). And yet, I know when my body is weary from whatever (the busyness of life, something that is worrying me, etc) that shifting my focus to God and taking refuge in the peace that God offers has been a comfort me and made a difference on my physical well being. I was going through a particularly weary season a few years ago and I remember praying each day as I made my way into work, “give me THIS day my daily bread”, making an effort as I prayed that prayer to shift my focus from my to do list or the looming things that lay ahead over the course of the coming days/weeks, to a trust that God was going to get me through that one day (after which I could again pray the next day, “give me THIS day” my daily bread.) That shift in taking things one day at a time and leaning on God made a big difference in my mental and physical health.
How do these proverbs define happiness?
Tranquility, wisdom, being attentive to the word, a joyful heart, fearing the Lord.
What deters health and happiness?
Envy, a crushed sprit, a hardened heart.
How do you see your mental, physical, and emotional health impacting your spiritual health? It’s all connected. When one part of the body, mind, or spirit is effected the others feel the effects too. Whether minimally or in a huge way.
How can you follow Proverbs 4:20–21 today?
Staying in the word and keeping the word in my heart.
When I am physically, mentally and emotionally unhealthy it’s harder to focus on God. I am feeling very tired today, since my daughter had a hard time sleeping last night. Even right in this moment, I’m finding it hard to connect with God. I’m so glad that it isn’t up to me to connect with God. He meets me wherever I am . ❤️
I think I can follow Proverbs 4:20-21 today be focusing on God’s word today, worshipping him and praying today.
I pray that I would never forget all of the blessings that are found in following after God and all of the consequences of not following after him.
We’ve all been there. That’S why this forum is here for you to glean.
I also think that giving yourself grace when you are fatigued (or the like) and having a harder time connecting is so important. I think even finding some small way to connect makes a difference, even if its not as deep of a connection as you might be able to do on a different day. Something is better then nothing. I know i’ve been there too.
My physical health can be so distracting, and I often struggle with wondering why God allows so many ailments (or why He wont just immediately jump in with a healing when we ask). Our earthly bodies are so high maintenance and it frustrates me that I have to spend so much time not just on caring for my body, but studying, learning and researching every new ailment I have and new nutrition need that arises. I imagine, if I didn’t have to spend time caring for and learning about my body, I’d have SO MUCH time.
But, I know I don’t know what He knows, so I trust and obey…
♥️
I remember reading specifically Proverbs 17:22 at one of my lowest points and going yup, can relate. Proverbs is so good for my heart, for both convicting and comforting sometimes at the same time!
Amen, very convicting.
Proverbs 4:20-21
My child, pay attention to what I say.
Listen carefully to my words.
21 Don’t lose sight of them.
Let them penetrate deep into your heart,
I can follow these verses by really PAYING ATTENTION TO ALL SCRIPTURE that I read/study today and by paying attention to particular verses that seem to be just for me from the Father.
I will intentionally focus them on a particular decision I must make – a decision that could have far reaching effects (not my intent/desire, but that is the reality).
I MUST NOT lose sight, however, of the wisdom in the Word- all of the Word, not just one passage. I will be spending this week seeking the Lord’s will, the nudging of the Holy Spirit, and the discernment He sends my way. I appreciate your prayers for clarity as well.
Side note – interesting to read the verses in various translations – as always. Blessed, joyful, happy are used differently, bht all refer to peaceful co-existence with God even though this world does not offer peace.
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Off to read your comments. Oh, but first— the song that came to mind as I read the intro:
No Scars in Heaven by Casting Crowns.
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Love, hugs, and prayers! ❤
To sum up today’s readings I would say…that to be happy and healthy – both physically and spiritually, we must seek our joy, peace and happiness in God alone – not in the things of the world. God’s name, His words are life and health!
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Wisdom is gained by spending time in God’s word, and letting His word work in our lives through the presence and power of the Holy Spirit.
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One thing in particular that God has been working in my heart on is jealousy. I absolutely hate it, but it often rears it’s angry head when I least expect it. It is something I have battled for years. I hope and pray that this is the year that I can put it to death, once and for all! I can truly testify that, “A heart at peace gives life to the body, but envy rots the bones.” Proverbs 14:10
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Praying today for any of my SRT sisters that also struggle with jealousy.
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Continued prayers for the requests that were mentioned this week. Have a blessed Tuesday!❤️
Jealousy almost ruined a relationship i had with my sister,I couldn’t sleep for days until I asked her for forgiveness. It can consume and destroy.
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I don’t consider myself to be wise but I am certainly pursuing it! The practice of honest self examination has been the best tool for me in growing into wisdom. It and the daily practice of reading scripture are a reliable foundation that has produced a way through the more difficult circumstances of life.
Proverbs 4:20-2220 My son, be attentive to my words;
incline your ear to my sayings.
21 Let them not escape from your sight;
keep them within your heart.
22 For they are life to those who find them,
and healing to all their flesh.
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God’s words are life to those that find them. They bring peace and comfort. They provide us with joy and strength. They will carry you through hardships. I can’t imagine doing life without God and His word.
Amen! ❤️
Well said, Traci! ❤
A joyful heart…A tranquil heart…I feel there are many times when I struggle with one or the the other and sometimes both a the same time. BUT GOD…as our dear Tina reminds us (happy face emoji). MY trust is in my Jesus even when it gets hard and there is the unknown. (I just read Rhonda’s response below and AGREE for those of us in our upper 50’s) I continue to trust my Jesus as He already knows the outcome even when its not known to me yet. Taking a deep breath here…… Second question, “how does your mental health, physical, emotional health impact my spiritual health” Taking another deep breath…again even when it’s hard and I can feel myself getting anxious, I take a DEEP breath and call out to my Jesus! How do I follow Prov 4:20-21 reminds me of hiding God’s Word in my heart reminding me again He is with me and will never leave “us.” please pray as i’m still under the weather, went to bed early, but didn’t sleep well, but no fever so off to work I go.
❤ hope you are feeling better!
How can you follow Proverbs 4:20- 21?
Make God’s word the first words of the day and last words of the day and mediate on them all day.
Many pick up their phone check messages first or turn on the news (I used to to be a news junkie). I started with explosions,terrorist attacks, school shootings, not anymore.
I think making God’s words the first words and the last words (before you) go to bed.
Proverbs 13:12 “Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life”. This verse is what I thought of right away while reading all the other verses ❤️
Regarding the impact of our bodily and mental health on our spiritual health…
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I really think that we can get into a “Woe is me.” state, which then translates to “Don’t you care, God?!?! I’m suffering here. Can’t You see?!?!” And we lose sight of Him and also our faith in Him
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That’s is a dangerous place to be. He CAN see and is always working for us. That’s hard to remember, but very, very true.
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I’ve said it a million times, but my mom displayed a Proverbs woman with her wisdom and attitude. She moved from day to day with a tranquil heart, going to work (for many years the midnight shift with 3 kids) and loving her family well. She showed reverence always to God and lived in that meek fear of him. She never envied what the others had and encouraged us to be ourselves and content with what we had. Which was a lot actually! My dad loved to spoil us with stuff, but being unexpected made it more fun! We didn’t just assume we would have things, which makes you more grateful. I tried to raise my child this way, but not sure I was successful. He seems to be with the lot, assuming he deserves his every whelm. lol. We definitely swung the pendulum the whole other extreme. Work hard to get what you want of our parents to do nothing and you deserve it all! (of course I’m generalizing and know there are many hard workers in our young somethings!) I just don’t see the Proverbs characteristics much these days except in those older than myself (upper 50’s (gasp!)
I don’t know about that, my daughter in law is under 50 and is a proverbs 31 woman.
Of course, that’s why I said I was generalizing in a big way, that there are many!
That’s awesome your daughter in law is a Proverbs woman! I pray my son and his GF will come to be God fearing, God loving marriage someday!
Your mom sounds really special. You were definitely blessed and still are with the memories and her example. Thank you for sharing.
Through many trials my mom held fast to God and took us to church, otherwise we would not have been there. We only had one car so we didn’t get there every week, but she taught by example ad well.
Hope everyone stays healthy and lots of precious memories are made on your trip! ❤
Proverbs 3:13-18 really drilled home taking a long, hard look at things of true value: wisdom and understanding, which return benefits far above and beyond gain from earthly “valuables.” I especially love “and all her paths are peace.”
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CEE GEE – praying ❤️
J PH – praying for your housing situation and for the Lord’s guidance and provision for “the one.” A thought on the others around you “moving forward, building or buying homes” – some may truly be in the right financial position to buy or build, but many are likely losing sleep over mortgage interest rates, unexpected home repairs, a builder that’s not what he seemed, tax and/or HOA fees/assessments ….
ADRIENNE- thankful for progress in eye healing
JANE K – praying for guidance and stamina as you care for your mom
TRACI GENDRON – “It is hard being a caretaker. It is also an honor, but that doesn’t take away the hardship.” A much needed reminder, thank you. ❤️
SHARON JERSEY GIRL ❤️
TAMI – praying for the move and for Chela in her junior year
Thank you, sister! Praying for your requests as well!
Yes, focus on things of true value! ❤
Jane K – would love to meet up with you to support you. We probably don’t live close though. I urge you to look for a caregiver support group. While I did not attend one when taking care of my mom I had support from my extended family specifically my sister in law because we shared the care of my husband’s mother who had vascular dementia but hers wasn’t as severe as my mom’s. Praying for you and your mom.
When I get caught up in worry, resentment, comparison, pride, etc.. I lose sight of who God is and who I am as His daughter. It’s like the parable of the 4 seeds, I can get “choked by the weeds” – the worries and troubles of this world. When I refocus my attention on God and His promises, my body is calmer and my mind is clearer. This takes intentionality daily.
Tami–thank you for clearly expressing the cycle I go through. It’s time re-focus my priorities and re-align my mindset.
Yes, Tami, this is me!
“Choked by the weeds”
Constantly refocusing on God and looking to Him instead of at the worries.
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Happiness is found in godly wisdom. Things that can get in the way are indulgences, jealousy, bitterness.
Read God’s Word everyday and meditate on it. Memorize Scripture and make it a habit for life. Use that wisdom to help others.
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Amen ❤️
Father let me seek Your Wisdom and Knowledge in Your Word and through Jesus all the days of my life. In Jesus name, Amen
Amem ❤
Happiness comes from knowing and living in godly wisdom. In being obedient to God we are healthy in spiritual ways which help us in our other areas of health. Being in God’s word daily and spending time seeking Him will help all areas of our health.
After reading today’s reading, I read 2 Corinthians 4 and was caught by several verses that even in the hard circumstances, wasting away, crushed, and persecution we are not destroyed because we have the understanding of Jesus death which gives us eternal life. The wisdom for our overall health is this life is temporary.
Exactly. We’re just a passing through.
Amen! So true.
God,
As I start today, help me be honest with myself—
because just like water reflects a face, my life reflects my heart (Proverbs 27:19).
Shape my heart to reflect You more.
Let my integrity guide me today, not pressure or pride (Proverbs 11:3).
Help me make choices that are honest and steady.
I want to live with wisdom, not just knowledge—
because Your wisdom brings peace, joy, and real treasure (Proverbs 3:13–18).
Help me hold onto it and walk in it.
Keep me grounded, keep me true,
and help my heart stay soft toward You.
❤️
Beautiful
Thank you, Kimberly, beautiful words on this beautiful morning ❤️
Amen❤️
I am using this to pray today as well. Thank you for sharing, Kimberly.
“My life reflects my heart” – great insight
As I started reading your comment, the song Honest by Leanne Crawford was playing.
Love- my life reflects my heart.
“my life reflects my heart” Thank you for this!
Very beautifully said Kimberly! ❤️
I add my personal amen! ❤Thank you, Kimberly!
Amen. So good Kimberly❤️❤️❤️
Wisdom and understanding is more precious than silver or gold. Like the virtuous woman hrt price is above rubies.
A life in pursuit of wisdom versus one chasing folly–the first brings life; the second brings death.
When I am mentally, physically, or emotionally tired, my spiritual health suffers too as the pull to sleep or otherwise “shut down” overcomes my desire to be with God in prayer or Bible reading.
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Memorizing Proverbs 4:20–21 would be a good start to walking in the wisdom there. :-)
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J PH – so sorry for your house hunting struggle. Praying God leads you to your next home soon.
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ADRIENNE – good news about your eye healing up! How will a sleep mask help?
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CEE GEE – what new word?
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Have a double-blessed Tuesday, ladies
Hide God’s word in your heart ❤️. This is why you should be in his word daily to guide and direct,and to use as our shield and defense.
I thought the same about memorizing the verses. I want to get better at that and more intentional.
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It would be an extra layer of protection against moisture loss, especially since most people don’t have a tight seal when closing their eyes. It would also be helpful when overhead fans are going.
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Lol- after I posted my reply I realized it was probably a typo, but thought at first it was a contemporary blending of 2 words for emphasis. It was your first word ‘ampathy which I now know you meant- apathy. Like I mentioned yesterday my brain was overloaded so I wasn’t as savvy as I should have been. ❤
I totally agree with your statement above! ❤
Eye-roll about my typo
Amen❤️
Joy, wholeness and flourishing – follow God’s path. Trouble, heartache and stagnation – rebel against God’s path.
Keeping His path front and center as we are women in His word everyday!
Blessings on your Tuesday, Ladies.
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