Anxiety weighs down the heart, but a kind word cheers it up.
What is the cheapest and easiest gift? It’s to give a kind word away! It can make a sad heart glad. Such love will not cost you anything. What a cheap way to be rich to others! You could send a person skipping down the street. You could lay another brick for eternal life. Your mouth can do more than swallow food. It can cheer a heavy heart. You can learn kind, complimentary, encouraging words of truth to do it. Can you spot a heavy heart or sad spirit? Do you know good words it needs? Will you get excited to fulfill this proverb? Most people are too selfish and preoccupied with their own lives to notice others, and most do not have the affection or concern to say something kind and helpful. They are too lazy to consider another person and do something about it. The rest are too fearful or ignorant. The context of this verse helps us understand why the Bible tells us that anxiety causes depression. The path of righteousness is not just the right path to take, but it also offers many practical benefits. For example, anxiety causes depression, but good words make the heart glad. Anxiety is worry, a lack of trusting in God, and taking on too much responsibility for circumstances. When we are anxious, we tell ourselves (or listen to others who tell us) words that put responsibilities on us…that are not ours burdens. The psalmists dealt with anxiety and the depression it can bring. When the psalmist anxiously says that his foot has slipped, he recalls that God’s lovingkindness will hold him up and God’s encouragements are a delight (Psalm 94:19-20). Elsewhere, David entreats God to search and discover anxious thoughts within him (Psalm 139:23). At the same time, he asks God to “see if there is any hurtful way in me, And lead me in the everlasting way” (Psalm 139:24). These psalmists recognize that anxiety is fixing one’s attention on trouble rather than on the promises of God, and they look to God to relieve the depression that results. The Bible tells us that anxiety causes depression. However, it also reminds us that a good word can bring gladness. When did you last compliment someone directly and sincerely? How often do you do it? A kind thought about another not expressed…is worthless! If you have a good thought about someone, tell them. How much better would the world be if people complimented those deserving it? How much would righteous men be encouraged in righteousness? Jesus during His life comforted and encouraged many, because God had given him a wonderful gift of speech “that I should know how to speak a word in season to him that is weary”. Angels comforted and strengthened Jesus Himself several times, especially when His spirit was greatly troubled in Gethsemane. He sends His Spirit to comfort you, when you humble yourself before Him and cry for help. Follow His holy example and use the good words of His good Word to make many sad hearts glad.
Spiritual Steve 