Proverbs 17:22 A merry heart does good like a medicine: but a broken spirit dries the bones.
This proverb draws a powerful connection between our emotional and spiritual well-being and our physical health. It affirms what modern medicine is only beginning to fully understand, that the condition of the heart and mind has a profound effect on the body.
The first half – “A merry heart does good like a medicine” – describes the healing power of joy, gratitude, and a cheerful spirit. A “merry heart” is not shallow giddiness or empty laughter, but a deep-seated joy rooted in peace, contentment, and trust in God. This kind of joyful heart brings renewal, strengthens the immune system, and fosters resilience in the face of hardship. Just as medicine promotes healing and recovery, so a glad heart restores vitality to the whole person. This ancient wisdom is affirmed by contemporary research, which shows that laughter, optimism, and emotional stability are linked to lower blood pressure, stronger immunity, reduced pain, and even longer life expectancy. Joy does not just feel good, it does good, physically and spiritually.
In contrast, the second half – “a broken spirit dries the bones” – warns of the deadly effects of prolonged sorrow, despair, and inner anguish. A “broken spirit” is one weighed down by grief, crushed by disappointment, or paralysed by guilt and hopelessness. This kind of inner collapse doesn’t stay inside; it seeps into the body, draining energy, dulling vitality, and even contributing to disease. When the spirit is broken, the “bones” – a symbol of the body’s strength and life – become dry and brittle. This imagery speaks not only of emotional exhaustion but of the literal toll that mental and emotional suffering can take on health: chronic stress, depression, anxiety, bitterness, and resentment can all weaken the body and shorten life. Nothing ruins health more deeply than grief that lingers, worry that never rests, hatred that festers, and fear that chokes hope.
The message is clear: we must guard our hearts and minds diligently. We are not powerless in the face of sorrow or stress. While suffering is inevitable in life, we are called to respond with trust in God, the cultivation of thankfulness, and a refusal to let destructive emotions take root. Forgiveness, prayer, worship, friendship, and humour are among God’s recipes to renew the heart and restore the soul.
In short, Proverbs 17:22 recognises that inner joy is healing, while prolonged sorrow and bitterness bring decay. Therefore, we should actively pursue joy, peace, and emotional wholeness, not just for spiritual benefit, but for the health of our whole being.
Living the Word 