Reflections on God's Word

by Victoria Robinson

King Solomon told us, “A happy heart makes the face cheerful, but heartache crushes the spirit.” Therefor it is important to nurture a happy heart. Yet can one have a happy heart when times are bad? A godly widow recently told me that on the day of her husband’s funeral, she had joy in her heart. She went on to say that she did not tell anyone because she feared how that would be perceived. Given the darkness of losing her husband, that concern was so understandable. However, as a christian we know how it is possible for her heart to have joy at such an unthinkable time. This precious widow understood God knew what was best in His providence.

I love what the following commentary says concerning Solomon’s words, “When times are good, be happy; but when times are bad, consider: God has made the one as well as the other.”

God has balanced prosperity with adversity according to His providence so that man may be totally dependent upon Him. This trust in divine providence is the only sufficient protection against the evil which inevitably comes. 

Believer’s Study Bible

So how can we nurture a happy heart even when times are bad? First, it is important to make sure you are purging sin from your heart. The apostle Peter said, “Do you want to be happy? Then stop saying cruel things and quit telling lies. Give up your evil ways and do right, as you find and follow the road that leads to peace.” A heart at peace is a happy heart.

Praise and thanksgiving will also nurture a happy heart. The book of Philippians tells us that a thankful heart will bring us peace that will control the way we think and feel.

Girlfriends, King Solomon also taught us that we should enjoy life. The Believers Study Bible so eloquently says, “Enjoyment is godly cheerfulness of the heart which directly flows from gratitude for all that God provides.”

Dearest girlfriends, let us seek to nurture a happy heart and enjoy the life God has given us.

A happy heart makes the face cheerful, but heartache crushes the spirit. ~ Proverbs 15:13 NIV

… for the happy heart, life is a continual feast. ~ Proverbs 15:15 NLT

When times are good, be happy; but when times are bad, consider: God has made the one as well as the other. … ~ Ecclesiastes 7:14 NIV 

by Victoria Robinson

Jealousy is an ugly disease like no other. It will ravage a person to the point of disfiguration.  Quarrels are a constant symptom of this disease. Fortunately there is a cure for this disease of sin. It is walking in the freedom of happiness for those in our lives who have something we do not.

Girlfriends, what  jealousy issues are you struggling with? Possessions, a better job, beauty, an easy life … ? Could it be over someone else being married or having a boyfriend? What about talent or intelligence? Jealousy does not necessarily have to be over good things. Instead it can focus on envying sinners and bad things. In which case, the Word of God tells us, “Do not let your heart envy sinners, but always be zealous for the fear of the LORD. There is surely a future hope for you, and your hope will not be cut off.” What a wonderful cure!

Whatever you might be dealing with, it is wise to remove this “cancer” immediately. One way to overcome jealousy is to pray God’s blessings on the one you envy. Take beauty for instance. Has it occurred to you that envy will rot your bones therefore making you even less beautiful?

Dearest girlfriends, I pray we would not allow the “cancer” of jealousy to destroy our well-being, but rather give thanks to our heavenly Father for the great things He has chosen to give us.