The Book of Proverbs is full of Wisdom and Instructions. Solomon, one of the writers of Proverbs, gave the Believer a “crash course” in life's lessons. He had many, many experiences that taught him some very important principles. Proverbs contains instructions in justice, judgment and warnings about general living in which he admonished the reader to receive the instructions and take heed to what he read. It also contains many references to health issues and if we search the scriptures, we not only will find eternal life but we will find the spiritual prescription for many of the physical problems that we are taking prescriptions and over-the-counter medications for!
Medical research has proven that the cause of most sickness and disease is related to the mental and emotional state of a person. Many believers are praying for healing and deliverance from physical symptoms but fail to realize that healing starts in the head first. Through Solomon’s experiences, he gained valuable knowledge on issues that relate to the physical and spiritual life. Several verses in Proverbs reveal the root cause to some major physical problems:“…By sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken..”(Proverbs 15:13) When the believer’s state of mind or (heart) is continually sad, it breaks his spirit; he loses mental strength and his desire to press through life’s obstacles. (Sounds like depression to me) A sorrowful heart (mind) is the type of ground that the enemy uses to afflict the believer with all kinds of illnesses. Proverbs 18:14 say, “The spirit of a man will sustain his infirmity, but a wounded spirit who can bear"; "…a broken spirit drieth the bones”. (Proverbs 17:22)
Solomon also discovered that keeping God’s commandments was the prescription for long life and many health problems. Proverbs 3:1, 2,3,8 says; “My son, forget not my law; but let thine heart keep my commandments: For length of days, and long life, and peace, shall they add to thee…Let not mercy and truth forsake thee: write them upon the table of thine heart…It shall be health to thy navel, and marrow to thy bones.” The word of God goes down into the bone marrow! The word health in this verse means "medicine" in Hebrew. When Jesus came, He was the Word and the medicine that “healed the broken-hearted” and set at liberty them that were bruised or oppressed emotionally.
When we accept Jesus, God’s Word, we can be set free from Satan’s power and we have our first experience with REAL joy! To be healthy, mentally and emotionally, we must have JOY! There are different types of Joy. There is a Joy that comes with Salvation and there is a sustaining, strengthening Joy that the believer must have to fight and resist the enemy in his everyday life. Satan attacks our minds to steal our Joy. He knows that if he can get us down emotionally and keep us down, it weakens our faith, breaks our spirit and we won't resist him or want to fight.
Scientific research has proven that, the happier you are, the healthier you are and the better you will feel. The more I learned about my physical body, the more I understood that “JOY” had a spiritual and physical affect on my life. Medically speaking, the mental attitude of Joy is like a catalyst that boosts chemicals in our body that make us feel good mentally and physically. Joy fuels our inborn mental ability (resilience) to overcome obstacles and bounce back when Satan attacks us. Spiritually speaking, a Joyful attitude gives a person the mental stamina to go through his trials and tribulations! Joy is the spiritual antidote or cure for depression! Nehemiah 8:10; “Neither be ye sorry; for the joy of the Lord is your strength”. Laughing out loud releases us from stress!
When we receive Jesus into our heart, we open the door for physical and emotional healing to invade our lives! “A merry heart maketh a cheerful countenance.” Proverbs 15:13. When you are happy, you look good and you smile more! “A merry heart doeth good like a medicine” Proverbs 17:22, your merry heart causes the body’s natural healing processes to work, endorphins and hormones, all working together making you feel good from the inside out! When we know, understand and use the TRUTH contained in the book of Proverbs, we WILL be blessed, with the fruit of good health, wealth and prosperity because it all starts in the heart!
Gwen Cromer
Evangelist & Assistant Pastor
Fellowship Church of God
Brownsville, TN
