“A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones” — Proverbs 17:22 (NIV).

In today’s world, we all run the risk of crushing our own spirit with the anxieties of life. We carry concerns regarding our home, about paying the bills, our marriage, our children, and our jobs.

The verse points to having “a cheerful heart” as the way to counter life’s stress. And the way to have “a cheerful heart” is to focus on that which is good, encouraging, and even humorous. If something humors you, laugh. If you see progress, praise it. If you’re encouraged, share it.

Sometimes we have to narrow the view from the big picture and focus on the little things that bring us a “a cheerful heart.” When our mind is fixed on the big picture of our own world’s overwhelming stress, it’s easy to feel despair and hopelessness.

However, if we intentionally slow down and take in the moment, it’s easier to see the good, the positive, things that make you laugh, reasons to smile, and the encouraging things that help create “a cheerful heart.” When we intentionally change our thinking away from our worries, we’ll fight off the inevitable health problems.