Have you found a good health tonic? The problem is that a good one is usually very expensive so that you can't afford it anyway. I have good news. I've found a great health tonic--and IT'S FREE!

Better than medicine, expensive vitamins, or pep pills is a cheerful heart. This is the tonic God prescribes. Proverbs 17:22 says, "A merry heart doeth good like a medicine; but a broken spirit drieth the bones."

Of course, this is easy to say when everything is rosy, but what about when we go through trouble and heartache? We can only have a cheerful heart that is not dependant on circumstances when we put our trust in God and acknowledge that He is in control of every situation and is always working out everything for our eternal good. It is this kind of trust that enables us to have a cheerful disposition.

Here are a few other translations of this Scripture. Choose the one that impacts you the most, write or type it out in big letters, and post it on your wall to remind you.

New Living Translation, "A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a broken spirit saps a person's strength." As mothers, we can't afford anything in our lives that saps our strength, can we?

New Century Version, "A happy heart is like good medicine, but a broken spirit drains your strength." Our attitude either builds up our emotional and nervous system or totally drains us. Which do you want?

Good News Translation, "Being cheerful keeps you healthy, it is slow death to be gloomy all the time." I have always loved this translation of this Scripture.

Message, "A cheerful disposition is good for your health, gloom and doom leave you bone-tired."

Love from Nancy