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A person’s anxiety will weigh him down,
but an encouraging word makes him joyful. (Proverbs 12:25 GW)
(Context—Proverbs 12:15-28 GW)
It's an epidemic. Opioid addiction has become a national epidemic in America. But it's not only opioid-based medications that are a problem. A myriad of disorders ranging from depression to behavioral problems has brought a plague of prescription drugs on our nation.
We may be a rich and powerful nation but we're weighed down with worry and can't seem to get out from under this burden without a prescription.
But there is another way to deal with this problem. A surprisingly simple way. It doesn't require a doctor appointment nor a prescription, nor any specialized training.
Anxiety may weigh a person down—
...but an encouraging word makes him joyful.
It may seem too simplistic. Indeed, some psychological disorders may still require treatment and medications but genuine and meaningful encouragement is still helpful in severe cases. I've seen this firsthand.
Words are powerful. They can tear down or build someone up. They're rarely neutral. What we hear is played back in our minds over and over, like a never-ending recording. It's called self-talk.
Destructive words go deep. They penetrate our hearts and embed themselves in our minds.
Careless words stab like a sword... (Prov 12:18a GW)
It doesn't matter who utters these piercing words. When spoken by those we're closest to—parents, a spouse, siblings, children, significant others, friends, people at work or school—their wounding words go deep.
So, how can this be countered?
How can you and I deal with worries and wounding words?
We all need to hear encouraging words of truth often and from people we trust. People who are trustworthy and those whom we know genuinely care about us. Likewise, we need to speak encouraging words and be genuine and trustworthy for others.
Here is the counter to the words that "stab like a sword"—
...but the words of wise people bring healing. (Prov 12:18b GW)
Notice it says, "words." Not casual or trite statements like—"Oh, they didn't really mean that..." or, "just ignore what they say." Genuine and encouraging words are needed.
Words of encouragement need to come from people wise enough to know what is needed and what is appropriate for each person. They also need to be words of truth—
The word of truth lasts forever... (Prov 12:19a GW)
If your heart is anxious and if you're weighed down with many worries, you need to be around people you trust. People who can encourage you with the truth.
Where? Church is good place to start but I know too many wounding words are spoken by people in churches.
We need to seek out a community of believers who are accepting and loving in a biblical but non-judgmental way. It could be a church or a small group connected to a church or ministry.
There are no quick fixes with prescriptive words and phrases. Bible quotes are nice but can easily be said in trite ways (see James 2:15-16).
A continuing flow of encouraging truth is the only way healing and restoration go deep enough in our hearts and minds. This will lighten the load of worries and wounds we encounter.
Reflection—
If your heart is anxious and if you're weighed down with many worries, you need to be around people you trust. People who can encourage you with the truth.
Prayer Focus—
Ask God to help you see encouraging words in His written word, the Bible. If you don't have encouraging people around you, ask the Lord to help you find people you can trust and who are encouraging and for His help to be the same way for them.
©Word-Strong_2018
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