Proverbs 15:15

The book of Proverbs gives us insights into so many different areas of life. The book gives us instruction on how to live our lives for God. Here is a proverb that gives us insight about a cheerful heart:

Proverbs 15:15 (ESV)

All the days of the afflicted are evil,

but the cheerful of heart has a continual feast.

Conditions can determine your attitude, but they don't have to! Solomon is giving us great insight into the human spirit in this proverb. He notes that for some, their life conditions can make their life and attitude miserable. But for those who have contentment in their heart, they will have a celebration in life. In the first line he tells us that those who are oppressed, afflicted, or humbled will be in misery. However, the contrast is in the second line. He tells us those who have something in their heart that gives them cheer will begin to celebrate life and continually do so.  The Hebrew word for cheer in the above proverb is the Hebrew word, tob.  It is used over 500 times in the Old Testament and is typically translated "good". The first time it is used it is used in Genesis when it says God made the light and it was "good. " What Solomon is saying to us is that a good heart, a heart that is focused on God and made good by God, will have a continuous feast and celebration in life. The heart that relies on circumstances and therefore becomes afflicted and humbled and oppressed, will be in misery all their days.  It is better to put your trust in the goodness of God as he changes your heart, than to hope that your circumstances will be changed. There is never celebration in the latter, only in the former.