Read Proverbs Chapter 12.
“Anxiety in a person’s heart weighs it down, but a good word cheers it up.” Proverbs 12:25
Anxiety, in the original, means “apprehension because of approaching trouble.” The primitive root of the word “down” in this verse is “to depress”. Anxiety depresses. Worrying about things to come depresses, but a good word cheers it up. That’s all it takes, is a good word. Let’s break it down a bit.
Apprehension because of approaching trouble. Why is it we spend so much time worrying about the future? Because that’s what you’re doing when you’re anxious. And we all do it. Everyone one of us. What we are anxious about may be different, but if we’re completely honest, we’re all anxious about something.
I’m anxious about people critiquing my writing. I’m anxious about my health, about my husband’s health. I’m anxious about retirement. I’m anxious about growing older. All things that if I let my mind dwell on too long will depress me. All things that will rob my joy. I also realize it’s a blessing that these are the things I’m anxious about. I realize there are a lot of people who have a lot more serious things to be anxious about. I am not making light of anxiety, not by a long shot.
Anxiety robs us of our joy, but a good word cheers it up.
If we agree that everyone has some type of anxiety, can we agree that everyone needs a good word? Everyone you meet needs encouragement, no matter who they are. You may not be able to see their anxiety. Their life may not reflect anxiety in anyway, but it is there. It is part of the human condition. We actually weren’t meant to live without it. It is what causes us to search for God, for the One who has the answer to it. Anxiety is what will make us get on our knees and seek God for answers. And in this case, His answer is a good word. A good word will cheer up anxiety.
As we learned yesterday, you get what you give. So if you need a good word today, if you’re struggling with anxiety, then give a good word. God promises, you’ll get one back.
