Happy heart, happy face

Our Proverbs verse for today: Proverbs 15:31
"A glad heart makes a happy face; a broken heart crushes the spirit."

Most consider this passage to naturally mean that one’s cheerful looks brings happiness to another. In addition, if the person brings a good news, the other person is refreshed or strengthened. A commentator puts it simply. A positive person’s encouragement, whether nonverbal (by a cheerful look, lit., “bright eyes”) or verbal (good news; cf. 25:25), is helpful and uplifting.  

I think that the most literal translation of our verse from the original language would be from the New American Standard Bible: Bright eyes gladden the heart; Good news puts fat on the bones.  Now we can look at the other meaning of the passage. If our very own eyes (vision and understanding) are attuned to positive things, they can make our hearts rejoice. Our seeing and our countenance feed each other, that is, if the heart rejoices, our disposition follows. 

And on the other hand, if our hearing is tuned in to good news based on the Good News of Jesus, it makes our bones “fat.” In Biblical Hebraic language, a bone covered with fats expresses health and prosperity. 

It is a happy thought that we stir others to be positive, joyful and strong through our temper and outlook. But that can only happen if we possess the same disposition. 

​Are we a bright-eyed and fat-boned Christians at home and at work?