Anxiety in a man’s heart weighs him down, but a good word makes him glad.” Proverbs 12:25
Have you been weighed down with anxiety? As I read this verse the other day, it resonated with me. Anxiety is a heavy burden, and it impacts the rest of our lives. It can dampen joy we would normally experience, or it can lead us to being more frustrated or short with people. When we have anxiety in our hearts it is a dark cloud in our life.
We all deal with anxiety one way or another. We can be anxious about events in our lives, or we may be anxious for our loved ones. The upcoming holiday season can bring on worry. Sometimes, anxiety is so prevalent in our lives that we do not even realize that we are anxious.
We live in an age when we have access to more information than ever before. However, this access to information has not seemed to produce greater peace, wisdom or understanding. In fact, it would seem that all this information has caused people to become more anxious. When I am anxious, I am focused on myself and my inability to control a situation. Too often we are anxious about things we have no control over. When anxiety goes unchecked and unchanged, it brings us down and weighs heavy in our hearts.
What is the remedy? Solomon tells us that a good word will make him glad. There is no better word than the truth of God’s word. We need to spend time in God’s word to strengthen and encourage our own hearts. When David was greatly distressed because he was faced with angry soldiers who wanted to stone him, he encouraged himself in the Lord (1 Samuel 30: 6). When we are anxious, we need to reflect on the truth of who God is and what He has promised. He will not leave or forsake us (Hebrews 13:5). Not only can we reflect on the truth of God’s word, but we can also bring our anxieties to Him in prayer. This is an ongoing process; we need to continually bring our worries and troubles to Him. He cares for us and desires our good. Here are some passages to meditate on:
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7
Casting all your anxieties on Him, because He cares for you. 1 Peter 5:7
Let us with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in the time of need. Hebrews 4:16
But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. Therefore, do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble. Matthew 6:33-34
We also need to encourage one another. We need to share God’s word with those around us. The author of Hebrews says, this, “But encourage one another every day, as long as it is called ‘today,’ that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin.” We need to take advantage of the time that God gives us. We need to take time to encourage those around us. Do not put it off. A word of encouragement at the right time does wondrous things (Proverbs 25:11).
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