“A joyful heart is good medicine …” Proverbs 17:22 (ESV)
I once had a work colleague who was brutally honest with me about how I contributed many great ideas to meetings but cautioned that I sometimes took all the energy out of the room by giving too much. She encouraged me to be patient with others, allowing them to develop their ‘points’ even if they were less prepared. I appreciated that feedback so much, even if it stung.
In another professional setting, I observed a manager celebrating presentations that I thought were sub-par until I started managing my own team and did the same as a way of encouraging team members to share their ideas and solutions.
Over time, these two lessons helped me cultivate a ‘joyous’ feeling in my team through their own confessions, which translated into a supportive, cohesive, and high-performing team. In addition, our team’s results on psychological safety (a feeling of inclusion, safety to learn, contribute, and challenge ideas in the team) always eclipsed the average of the organisation. Isn’t this what we are meant to produce in every environment (peace, kindness, patience, and joy) wherever we are, based on Galatians 5:22?
Proverbs 17:22 (ESV) reminds us that “A joyful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.” If we fail to cultivate joy – personally and in our community – we will not thrive but will crush our potential and that of those around us. When we wake up each morning, let us purpose ourselves to create joy.
Additionally, Romans 14:17 (ESV) confirms the mandate that we must personally influence our community, saying: “For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.” Again, I ask: Are you a joy cultivator?
Read: Philemon 1:7; John 16:24
Bible Reading Guide: Psalm 94:1-11; 1 Corinthians 6; 2 Chronicles 1
