Sunday
December 19
1. A MERRY HEART
a. How do our thoughts affect us physically? Proverbs 17:22.
“The condition of the mind affects the health to a far greater degree than many realize. Many of the diseases from which men suffer are the result of mental depression. Grief, anxiety, discontent, remorse, guilt, distrust, all tend to break down the life forces and to invite decay and death.
“Disease is sometimes produced, and is often greatly aggravated, by the imagination.”—The Ministry of Healing, p. 241.
“When we go mourning, we leave the impression upon minds that God is not pleased to have us happy, and in this we bear false witness against our heavenly Father.”—The Review and Herald, January 14, 1890.
b. What attitude is needed to enjoy good health? Psalm 5:11; 1 Thessalonians 5:18.
“Courage, hope, faith, sympathy, love, promote health and prolong life. A contented mind, a cheerful spirit, is health to the body and strength to the soul.”—The Ministry of Healing, p. 241.
“The power of the will and the importance of self-control, both in the preservation and in the recovery of health, [and] . . . the marvelous life-giving power to be found in cheerfulness, unselfishness, gratitude, should also be shown.”—Education, p. 197.
Monday
December 20
2. MENTAL HEALTH
a. If we neglect physical health, what part of our being will become affected? 1 Corinthians 3:17; 6:19, 20.
“Between the mind and the body there is a mysterious and wonderful relation. They react upon each other. To keep the body in a healthy condition to develop its strength, that every part of the living machinery may act harmoniously, should be the first study of our life. To neglect the body is to neglect the mind. It cannot be to the glory of God for His children to have sickly bodies or dwarfed minds.”—Counsels on Health, p. 122.
b. What method is Satan using to destroy our mind? Psalm 101:3.
c. With what should we fill our mind? Philippians 4:8. What rules should guide our actions? Isaiah 33:15, 16.
d. How can we receive comfort in the midst of trials and difficulties? Philippians 4:4–7; Lamentations 3:26; Isaiah 57:15.
“Do not lose your hold. Cling to Jesus. . . . Difficulties will arise. You will meet with obstacles. Look constantly to Jesus. When an emergency arises, ask, Lord, what shall I do now?”—The Adventist Home, pp. 207, 208.
“Faith, patience, forbearance, heavenly-mindedness, trust in your wise, heavenly Father, are the perfect blossoms which mature amidst clouds and disappointments and bereavements.”—The SDA Bible Commentary [E. G. White Comments], vol. 7, p. 934.
“The word of God should be studied and obeyed, then the heart will find rest and peace and joy, and the aspirations will tend heavenward; but when truth is kept apart from the life, in the outer court, the heart is not warmed with the glowing fire of God’s goodness.”—Testimonies, vol. 5, p. 547.
Tuesday
December 21
3. ACTIVELY HAPPY
a. What activities bring happiness—even to one who is very sick? Acts 20:35; Galatians 6:9, 10.
“Good deeds are twice a blessing, benefiting both the giver and the receiver of the kindness. The consciousness of rightdoing is one of the best medicines for diseased bodies and minds. When the mind is free and happy from a sense of duty well done and the satisfaction of giving happiness to others, the cheering, uplifting influence brings new life to the whole being.
“Let the invalid, instead of constantly requiring sympathy, seek to impart it. Let the burden of your own weakness and sorrow and pain be cast upon the compassionate Saviour. Open your heart to His love, and let it flow out to others. Remember that all have trials hard to bear, temptations hard to resist, and you may do something to lighten these burdens. Express gratitude for the blessings you have; show appreciation of the attentions you receive. Keep the heart full of the precious promises of God, that you may bring forth from this treasure, words that will be a comfort and strength to others. This will surround you with an atmosphere that will be helpful and uplifting. Let it be your aim to bless those around you, and you will find ways of being helpful, both to the members of your own family and to others.
“If those who are suffering from ill-health would forget self in their interest for others; if they would fulfill the Lord’s command to minister to those more needy than themselves, they would realize the truthfulness of the prophetic promise, ‘Then shall thy light break forth as the morning, and thine health shall spring forth speedily’ (Isaiah 58:8).”—The Ministry of Healing, pp. 257, 258.
b. What activities are an excellent medicine for the mind and the body? Isaiah 58:6–8; Matthew 25:32–40.
“Every ray of light shed upon others will be reflected upon our own hearts. Every kind and sympathizing word spoken to the sorrowful, every act to relieve the oppressed, and every gift to supply the necessities of our fellow beings, given or done with an eye to God’s glory, will result in blessings to the giver. Those who are thus working are obeying a law of heaven and will receive the approval of God. The pleasure of doing good to others imparts a glow to the feelings which flashes through the nerves, quickens the circulation of the blood, and induces mental and physical health.”—Mind, Character, and Personality, vol. 2, p. 642.
Wednesday
December 22
4. FREEDOM FROM SADNESS
a. What do bitterness, heaviness of heart, and guilt produce in the body? Proverbs 12:25.
“Sickness of the mind prevails everywhere. Nine tenths of the diseases from which men suffer have their foundation here. Perhaps some living home trouble is, like a canker, eating to the very soul and weakening the life forces. Remorse for sin sometimes undermines the constitution and unbalances the mind.”—Counsels on Health, p. 324.
b. What are some of the causes of a downhearted spirit? Psalm 55:4, 5; Matthew 6:34.
“[God] does not desire us to go in anguish of spirit. We are not to look at the thorns and the thistles in our experience. We are to go into the garden of God’s Word and pluck the lilies and roses and the fragrant pinks of His promises. Those who look upon the difficulties in their experience will talk doubt and discouragement, for they do not behold Jesus, the Lamb of God, who taketh away the sins of the world.”—That I May Know Him, p. 278.
c. What remedy is recommended for a downhearted spirit, and what warning should be heeded in case of anxiety? Psalms 100:1–5; 101:1; 1 Thessalonians 5:16, 17.
“Those who are excited, anxious, or in a hurry, would do well not to eat until they have found rest or relief; for the vital powers, already severely taxed, cannot supply the necessary digestive fluids.”—Counsels on Diet and Foods, p. 107.
d. What is the best medical prescription for the discouraged? Psalms 27:14; 31:24.
“The love which Christ diffuses through the whole being is a vitalizing power. Every vital part—the brain, the heart, the nerves—it touches with healing. By it the highest energies of the being are roused to activity. It frees the soul from the guilt and sorrow, the anxiety and care, that crush the life forces. With it come serenity and composure. It implants in the soul, joy that nothing earthly can destroy—joy in the Holy Spirit—health-giving, life-giving joy.”—The Ministry of Healing, p. 115.
Thursday
December 23
5. SUPREME BLESSING
a. How does God abide in our heart to give us victory over adversities and disappointments? John 16:13; Ephesians 5:18–20; Hebrews 10:22–25.
“We are in a world of suffering. Difficulty, trial, and sorrow await us all along the way to the heavenly home. But there are many who make life’s burdens doubly heavy by continually anticipating trouble. If they meet with adversity or disappointment they think that everything is going to ruin, that theirs is the hardest lot of all, that they are surely coming to want. Thus they bring wretchedness upon themselves and cast a shadow upon all around them. Life itself becomes a burden to them. But it need not be thus. It will cost a determined effort to change the current of their thought. But the change can be made. Their happiness, both for this life and for the life to come, depends upon their fixing their minds upon cheerful things. Let them look away from the dark picture, which is imaginary, to the benefits which God has strewn in their pathway, and beyond these to the unseen and eternal.”—The Ministry of Healing, pp. 247, 248.
b. In this world of suffering and disease, what should be our constant prayer—and what gracious response comes from the throne of God? Psalm 67:1, 2; Jeremiah 30:17.
“Those who wait for the Bridegroom’s coming are to say to the people, ‘Behold your God.’ The last rays of merciful light, the last message of mercy to be given to the world, is a revelation of His character of love. The children of God are to manifest His glory. In their own life and character they are to reveal what the grace of God has done for them.”—Christ’s Object Lessons, pp. 415, 416.
Friday
December 24
REVIEW AND THOUGHT QUESTIONS
a. Why does sadness on our part misrepresent our merciful, loving God?
b. How do our thoughts affect our physical body?
c. Name one significant remedy that can virtually relieve any disease.
d. What should we realize about the power of Christ’s love for us?
e. Describe the scene to be continually kept before our mind’s eye.