A Merry Heart Doeth Good Like a Medicine: Finding Joy in Proverbs 17:22

Several years ago, the Lord woke me in the middle of the night with one verse stirring in my soul:

“A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones.” – Proverbs 17:22

I couldn’t shake it. For years now, I’ve been meditating on this verse and what it means for my own life.

What Does It Mean to Have a Merry Heart?

If a merry heart is like medicine, where does that kind of healing come from?

Because let’s be honest—so many of us are walking around with broken spirits. Anxiety, depression, overwhelm, loneliness, and burnout are heavy weights that drain our joy. We search for quick remedies to fix it: a new routine, a prescription, a self-help book, or a distraction to calm our minds.

But Scripture reminds us: joy is the true medicine.

A merry heart doesn’t come from manufacturing positivity—it comes from the presence of God.

The Source of True Healing

God’s Word shows us that healing isn’t found in striving harder, pretending everything is fine, or chasing after worldly fixes. Healing flows from the joy and peace that only Jesus brings.

✨ Joy that doesn’t make sense on paper.
✨ Peace that steadies us in the middle of hard seasons.
✨ Hope that whispers to our hearts even when everything feels broken.

That’s what it means to have a merry heart—it’s receiving the kind of soul-healing that only comes from Him.

Introducing Merry Mondays

That’s why I’m starting something new here: Merry Mondays.

Each Monday, I’ll share a little “medicine for the soul.” Encouragement, scripture, and gentle truth to begin your week grounded in what matters most.

🌸 You don’t have to hustle your way to peace.
🌸 You don’t have to fake joy to find healing.
🌸 There is a cure for the broken spirit.

And His name is Jesus.

People Also Ask

What does Proverbs 17:22 mean?
This verse teaches that joy and a cheerful heart bring life and healing, while a broken spirit can leave us drained and weary. True joy is found in God’s presence, not in temporary fixes.

How can I find joy when life feels overwhelming?
Joy isn’t something you have to force. It comes from resting in God’s promises, leaning on His peace, and trusting that He is working even in hard seasons.

Is a merry heart really like medicine?
Yes—just as medicine helps the body heal, joy rooted in Christ strengthens the soul. A joyful spirit refreshes us emotionally, spiritually, and even physically.

✨ Your turn: What does your heart need most right now—peace, joy, or hope? Drop a 💛 in the comments to share what you’re praying for this week.