Our wisdom for today is from Proverbs 17: verse 22.
“A joyful heart is good medicine, but a broken spirit dries up the bones.”
Just this past week I saw my little granddaughter take medicine. Her mother brought it to her and she opened her mouth and took her medicine. I was amazed because I remembered how my generation took medicine – basically kicking and screaming. We took it because we had too, but we hated it and fought it. I’ll bet many of you remember the same things.
Why the change? The answer reminds me of today’s verse. Mary Poppin sang, “A spoon full of sugar makes the medicine go down.” Those who make medicine have come to understand this.
You may not be a doctor or nurse, but you do have times when you have to deliver medicine to family or friends. Sometimes, this comes in the form of truths that may not be enjoyed.
The Apostle Paul did this in his letters. He wrote to correct people’s sins, but he almost always started off with a spoon full of sugar. He started with words of appreciation for their good things and then proceeded to the correction that needed to be made.
We would do well to remember that when we have to deliver medicine, rebukes or corrections, it is always good to start with the merry heart, a spoon full of sugar.
Our goal to is help and if all we do is hurt then the medicine will never be taken.
I’m Lonnie Davis
And these are thoughts worth thinking.