There is healing in joy, and God’s Word tells us that He gives us His own joy to deliver us from heaviness, to strengthen us, and to work as a medicine in our bodies and souls:

 
“Rejoice in the Lord always, and again I say, Rejoice!”  (Philippians 4:4).

 
“Weeping may last for the night, but a shout of joy comes in the morning.” (Psalm 30:5).

 
“Thou hast turned for me my mourning into dancing; thou hast loosed my sackcloth and girded me with gladness.”  (Psalm 30:11).

 
“The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the afflicted … to bind up the brokenhearted, to comfort all who mourn … giving them the oil of gladness instead of mourning, the mantle of praise instead of a spirit of fainting.”  (Isaiah 61:1-3).

 
“Do not be grieved, for the joy of the Lord is our strength.”  (Nehemiah 8:10).

 
“A joyful heart is good medicine.”  (Proverbs 17:22).

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