How to Have a Merry Heart - The Crosswalk Devotional - December 19

How to Have a Merry Heart
By Whitney Hopler

Bible Reading
“A merry heart does good like a medicine, but a broken spirit dries the bones.” – Proverbs 17:22, MEV

Popular culture often depicts the Christmas season as a time of fun, happiness, and togetherness. Yet many people don’t experience that idea of a “Merry Christmas.” Instead, too often, people are dealing with sadness, loneliness, or even despair as Christmas approaches. Broken relationships, financial pressures, and the weight of unmet expectations can turn what is meant to be the most wonderful time of the year into a season of sorrow. 

The Bible says that a merry heart is like medicine – something that heals and restores well-being. Just as medicine can relieve physical pain and suffering, a joyful heart can relieve the burdens of our souls. 

During the Christmas season, we can find ourselves stressed by demands like the pressure to buy gifts, the strain of hosting gatherings, or the pain of celebrating without loved ones whose loss we’re grieving. However, the joy that God offers is not limited by circumstances like those. It’s a joy that is available to us even in the middle of our challenges. Joy is much different from happiness. Happiness is a temporary feeling that comes and goes, based on whether or not we like our current circumstances. But joy is possible to experience anytime – even in unhappy circumstances. That’s because joy comes from God himself. Psalm 16:11 says of God: “In your presence is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.” This means that joy is not something we manufacture on our own; it’s something we receive from being in God’s presence. When we connect with God’s presence, we tap into a powerful well of joy that sustains us, even when we’re facing challenges. 

Joy is what gives us a “merry heart.” Consider the shepherds in the Christmas story. They were ordinary people going about their daily tasks when an angel appeared and announced “good tidings of great joy” (Luke 2:10). This joy wasn’t based on their circumstances; it was based on the arrival of Jesus, the Savior of the world. Similarly, our joy today is rooted in the reality that God is with us and that his love for us is complete and unconditional.

If you’re struggling this Christmas season, here are a few ways you can develop a merry heart that will boost your well-being like medicine: 

• Focus on God’s presence, not perfection. This Christmas, let go of unrealistic expectations and focus on the miracle of God’s presence in your life. Spend time reading God’s Word and communicating with him in prayer and meditation. Let the simple yet significant blessing of God’s presence fill your heart with joy. 
• Practice gratitude. When you take time to thank God for his blessings, you shift your focus from what you lack to what you have. Make a list of things you’re thankful for each day, and watch how your perspective changes. Gratitude unlocks joy and can transform even the most difficult seasons.
• Practice kindness. Sometimes the best way to lift your own spirits is to lift someone else’s. Consider ways you can intentionally spread kindness to others – whether it’s through volunteering, sending a kind message, or simply being there for a friend in need. 
• Connect and forgive. If you’re struggling with loneliness or the pain of broken relationships, reach out to someone caring and trustworthy for encouragement. Let go of bitterness by choosing to forgive the people who have hurt you and move on with the peace God will give you when you ask for it. 

You can have a Merry Christmas and a merry heart authentically when you’re struggling, because joy can coexist with sorrow. Jesus is Immanuel – “God with us” – not only in your celebrations but also in your struggles. When you turn to God in your pain, you can find a joy that can carry you through any circumstances. May this Christmas season be one where you discover the true medicine of a merry heart, centered in the joy that comes from knowing Jesus. 

Intersecting Faith & Life:

As you consider how God will give you a merry heart in any kind of circumstances, reflect on these questions: 

• In what areas of your life are you struggling to find joy this Christmas season? How can you invite God’s presence into those areas?
• How does the knowledge that God is Immanuel – “God with us” –  affect your outlook on your current challenges? 

Further Reading:
Psalm 16:11
John 15:11
Nehemiah 8:10
Philippians 4:4
Romans 15:13

Photo Credit: ©GettyImages/Kerkez 

Whitney Hopler helps people discover God's wonder and experience awe. She is the author of several books, including the nonfiction books Wake Up to Wonder and Wonder Through the Year: A Daily Devotional for Every Year, and the young adult novel Dream Factory. Whitney has served as an editor at leading media organizations, including Crosswalk.com, The Salvation Army USA’s national publications, and Dotdash.com (where she produced a popular channel on angels and miracles). She currently leads the communications work at George Mason University’s Center for the Advancement of Well-Being. Connect with Whitney on her website at www.whitneyhopler.com, on Facebook, and on  X/Twitter.

Check out fantastic resources on Faith, Family, and Fun at Crosswalk.com! 

Related Resource: How Habit Stacking Will Help You Discipline Your Mind, Body, & Spirit 

The process of success is not hidden. It is on display for anyone to see. However, it is a daily grind that requires a great deal of work that is tedious and often uncomfortable. Successful people simply do the work. They embrace the grind and everything that comes with it. Ultimately, successful people understand this truth - Hope doesn’t produce change. Habits do! Everyone has the desire, but many lack the necessary discipline! That’s why today on The Built Different Podcast we have a very special guest who understands the importance of discipline and habits at a very high level. Don’t just focus on changing the thoughts in your head and the habits in your life, but also allow God to transform your heart from the inside out. If you like what you hear, be sure to subscribe to The Built Different Podcast on Apple, Spotify or YouTube so you never miss an episode!