Isaiah 26:3 NKJV “You will keep him in perfect peace, Whose mind is stayed on You, Because he trusts in You.”

As Christians, our sense of peace and stability should not depend on our outside circumstances but on our inwards thoughts. If we focus our thoughts on the things of this world system, we will be depressed because the things of this world system are depressing. But if we think on the positive things of God, put our minds on heavenly things, and think about what God has given us, we are going to be blessed. It all depends where we put our minds.  If we really had our minds stayed on the awesome things God has done for us and prepared for us, it would be impossible for us to be depressed and defeated, regardless of our challenging situation. There would be perfect peace. When we are in the middle of negative circumstances we can think of things that are of good report (Philippians 4:8). And as we think on those things, we will experience emotional peace and joy. We will find our peace in who we are in Christ and what He has done for us, not in our physical circumstances. Then you can have a good day no matter how bad people treat you, because your inner peace will put your emotions under control!

Genesis 1:26 KJV “Then God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.”

God did not create mankind to be puppets, robots, or slaves. God created mankind as blessed species to have dominion over all of God’s creations (Psalm 8:4-6).  Humans have been given dominion over everything that moves on earth. That would include the devil and his forces trying to operate here on earth. So we should not allow the devil to operate here! Even though mankind fell, through the sin of Adam, God has never changed His purpose for mankind, nor His declaration. Jesus came to redeem mankind from our fallen state, and restore us back to the position of dominion God originally created us to walk in (Romans 5:17). Now those who are in Christ are joint-heirs with Him (Romans 8:17). While we await the second coming of Christ, let us maintain our dominion over every work of darkness, as we abide in the light!

Proverbs 17:22 TLB “A cheerful heart does good like medicine, but a broken spirit makes one sick.”

These words, along with many others found within the pages of God’s Word, the Bible, inform us of the significance of a merry heart. Although there are times of sadness, sickness, and sorrow, God does not intend for us to live a life of gloom and doom. This does not imply that we minimize life’s sorrows, but that a Christian, through the strength of God, and the abiding presence of the Holy Spirit, has the ability to rise above life’s discouragements. You probably you know of someone who battles sickness and discouraging issues every day yet has a cheerful disposition. On the other hand, you know others who, although have many things over which to be happy, never seem to have a cheerful day. It is all about perspective. If we let God guide our hearts, we can be happy even in overwhelming disappointments. God can give you a merry heart in spite of yourself. A merry heart is a good prevention for illness. Medicines sometimes treat only the symptoms while a merry heart may prevent the illness from ever occurring. Be merry. God loves you and He is still on His throne, watching over you!