Anxiety in a man's heart weighs him down, but a good word makes him glad. Proverbs 12:25
This may seem to be a simple observation or truism, but for the heart overloaded with anxiety, it is a comforting word... a refreshing breeze in a desert experience... water for a thirsty soul. I know this from the conversations that I have regularly where I see hearts weighed down in this way. It is an impossible burden to bear alone. It eats at the soul, depriving it of sustenance and peace. Good words are desperately needed in anxious times.
I know this from my own experience. Monday night a friend approached me with a direct question: How are you doing? One look at his eyes made it clear this was not a "how do you do" greeting, but an honest concern for my heart. It felt good to know that this man had this question on his heart for me. It was followed up by a truly encouraging conversation. It built me up. It drew me to thanks for God for these kind of people. Good words lightened my day.
Sometimes I wonder if I am cut out to do the amount of counseling that God has given me to do. I tend to get unconsciously personally pessimistic and care-drawn by so many bad circumstances and difficulties. But God has wisely given me good words by caring people to take me back to where I need to be so that my anxious weights that I carry with others do not stoop me too low! Thank God for His wisdom and gracious provision in the Body of Christ.
I know that today will have its own weight. I can carry the heavy weight of anxiety, or I can be impressed by the weight of God's glory and holiness. I choose to look for the second.
Anxiety in a man's heart weighs him down, but a good word makes him glad. Proverbs 12:25
This may seem to be a simple observation or truism, but for the heart overloaded with anxiety, it is a comforting word... a refreshing breeze in a desert experience... water for a thirsty soul. I know this from the conversations that I have regularly where I see hearts weighed down in this way. It is an impossible burden to bear alone. It eats at the soul, depriving it of sustenance and peace. Good words are desperately needed in anxious times.
I know this from my own experience. Monday night a friend approached me with a direct question: How are you doing? One look at his eyes made it clear this was not a "how do you do" greeting, but an honest concern for my heart. It felt good to know that this man had this question on his heart for me. It was followed up by a truly encouraging conversation. It built me up. It drew me to thanks for God for these kind of people. Good words lightened my day.
Sometimes I wonder if I am cut out to do the amount of counseling that God has given me to do. I tend to get unconsciously personally pessimistic and care-drawn by so many bad circumstances and difficulties. But God has wisely given me good words by caring people to take me back to where I need to be so that my anxious weights that I carry with others do not stoop me too low! Thank God for His wisdom and gracious provision in the Body of Christ.
I know that today will have its own weight. I can carry the heavy weight of anxiety, or I can be impressed by the weight of God's glory and holiness. I choose to look for the second.
