The word for today is “cheerful.”  At this challenging time, many people are frustrated and depressed.  Yet even amidst this pervasive dreariness of heart, there are some who raise our spirits.  These persons are bright lights in the darkness.  Of them, the wise sage of Proverbs writes in today’s readings of Proverbs 17:17-18:5, “A merry heart does good, like medicine” (NKJV vs. 17:22).  Today we learn that we, the faithful, are called to “lift up our hearts” so that our cheerfulness can be medicine for others in a gloomy world. Nowadays, the word “merry” is associated with Christmas and its festivities.  However, the word in the Hebrew Bible means to be glad, joyful, and rejoicing (Strong’s Hebrew #8056, 284).  On…

The word for today is “cheerful.”  As the present crisis continues, many people are frustrated and depressed.  Yet even amidst this pervasive dreariness of heart, there are some who raise our spirits.  These persons are bright lights in the darkness.  Of them, the wise sage of Proverbs writes in today’s readings of Proverbs 17:17-18:5, “A merry heart does good, like medicine” (NKJV vs. 17:22). Today we learn that we, the faithful, are called to “lift up our hearts” so that our cheerfulness can be medicine for others in a gloomy world. Nowadays, the word “merry” is associated with Christmas and its festivities.  However, the word in the Hebrew Bible means to be glad, joyful, and rejoicing (Strong’s Hebrew #8056, 284).…