happy hearts

A glad heart is good medicine, but a broken spirit dries up the bones.

- Proverbs 17:22 (NLV)

 

This year has been particularly challenging for me. There have been moments that have truly brought me down, and at times, it has felt almost impossible to stay positive when everything around me seemed to be falling apart. I’ve spent countless hours in tears, trying to process something truly difficult, and many more hours in prayer, asking God “why?”—even though I don’t always receive a clear answer.

The struggle became so overwhelming that I stopped writing for a while, and honestly, I think things felt even heavier during that time. However, I never stopped listening to music. Music has always been a source of comfort for me; I find that I can relate to so many lyrics. It’s as if music gives a voice to my emotions. It’s amazing how a particular song will come on—just when I need it most—whether on the radio or any other platform. For example, “Hard Fought Hallelujah” by Brandon Lake and Jelly Roll has been especially meaningful to me lately.

Yeah, I don't always feel it
Yeah, but that's when I need it the most
So, I'ma keep on singing
'Til my soul catches up with my song

There's times when my hands go up freely
And times that it costs, oh-oh
There's days when a praise comes out easy
Days when it takes all the strength I got

I'll bring my hard-fought, heartfelt
Been-through-hell hallelujah (ooh, ooh)
And I'll bring my storm-tossed, torn-sail
Story-to-tell hallelujah, oh
'Cause God, You've been patient
God, You've been gracious
Faithful, whatever I'm feeling or facing
So I'll bring my hard-fought, heartfelt, it-is-well hallelujah, whoa-oh
Hallelujah (ooh, ooh), hallelujah

I've wrestled with the darkness
But I'm tryin' to reach for the light
Yeah, the struggle keeps me honest
And it breaks down the walls of my pride

'Cause faith isn't proven like gold
'Til it's been through the fire, eh-eh
My head, heart, and hands are feeling heavy
But that's when I lift them just a little higher

I'll bring my hard-fought, heartfelt
Been-through-hell hallelujah (ooh, ooh)
I'll bring my storm-tossed, torn-sail
Story-to-tell hallelujah, whoa-oh
God, You've been patient
God, You've been gracious
Faithful, whatever I'm feeling or facing
I'll bring my hard-fought, heartfelt, it-is-well hallelujah, oh
Hallelujah, hallelujah (ah, ah, ah, ah, ah)

I’ve learned that if I can find a way to smile through my pain, rather than dwell on the heartache, it helps me feel better. And on the days when smiling isn’t enough, I can always turn to music for comfort. I also really liked the Good New Translation : Being cheerful keeps you healthy. It is slow death to be gloomy all the time.  I don’t want to be gloomy all the time.

 

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Daily Inspiration from the Bible