Hard To Handle
Proverbs 18:14 NKJV
14 The spirit of a man will sustain him in sickness,
But who can bear a broken spirit?
In 1971, The Bee Gees asked a mournful question with their song "How Do You Mend A Broken Heart?" It was a number one hit for the group, but they never did answer the question. Our proverb for today indicates that a broken heart is a problem. But thankfully, there are answers. Because a broken heart is hard to handle.
The strong spirit of a man will help him stand in sickness. But a broken spirit is a problem. This verse infers that when the spirit is broken, it will be hard to push through sickness. The Olive Tree Online Dictionary addresses what it means to have a broken spirit. "An adjective meaning broken, beaten, crushed. It describes the life, the vitality, the drive, the spirit of a person that has been oppressed, broken by a grieved heart. A spirit broken, crushed, renders a person hopeless." And when someone is hopeless, it makes recovery much more difficult. Proverbs 17:22 NASB says, "A joyful heart is good medicine, But a broken spirit dries up the bones." This verse also indicates that a broken spirit is not healthy. We can also use the term broken heart. And we get some insight into the opposite of a broken spirit. A joyful heart is the opposite of a broken heart. A joyful heart acts as medicine which aids health. One more verse gives us insight as to how we guard against a broken heart. Keeping in mind that Proverbs warns us to guard our heart, our spirit, for from it flow the springs of life.
"A merry heart makes a cheerful countenance, But by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken." Proverbs 15:13 NKJ. And there we have the answer to The Bee Gees question how do you mend a broken heart? We have to get rid of the sorrow. Someone who is sad and sorrowful on the inside hurts their heart and hurts their life. Another verse, Proverbs 15:15, says that "All the days of the afflicted are evil, but he who is of a merry heart has a continual feast." The word "afflicted" means those who are suffering in a state of poverty, oppression, or misery from various causes. So we are getting the picture here that when we are sorrowful and down, it makes everything worse.
I can empathize with people who have dealt with sorrow and depression. And I believe there are ways out. A broken, sorrowful heart is no joke and certainly something I don't want to make light of. I do know in my own life that staying in fellowship with the Lord has been a great help in fending off sorrow from my heart. Learning to control the negative thoughts that can attack the mind can help guard against a broken, sorrowful heart. Staying close to God's Word on a regular basis is bringing God's powerful light into my heart. Psalm 119:130 says, "The entrance of God's word gives light." Proverbs 15:30 says, "The light of the eyes rejoices the heart, and a good report makes the bones healthy." God's Word is light. God's Word is a good report. Keep putting His words and light into your heart. It will help bring healing and hope and put your heart on a better path.
Prayer
Thank You, Lord, that You have never intended for me to live sorrowful and broken. Show me how to guard my heart and bring in the light of hope and help.