Solomon writes: Anxiety in a man’s heart weighs it down, but a good word makes it glad (Proverbs 12:25). This is good Biblical evidence that stress is a bad thing! Read Genesis 4:6, 7. These days it seems that anxiety is just the normal response to normal everyday life, doesn’t it? And yet, God’s Word so clearly says that it weighs a man’s heart down.
In the context of this verse it seems that Solomon is contrasting the one who does the right thing with the one who does the wrong thing. Doing wrong is one way to bring anxiety into your life. It might be that you are wrestling with a sin that has a hold on you and seems as though it will never let go. You struggle with it and sometimes you win and resist the temptation, but most of the time…it gets you. And there is anxiety.
Solomon’s alternative to anxiety in this verse is “a good word.” That is a word of encouragement. A word of encouragement is a word that edifies, or builds up (Ephesians 4:29). It is a word that gives strength in the struggle with temptation. It is the reason why we should not be afraid to confess our faults one to another so that we can pray for one another (James 5:16).
Is your heart weighted down today? I hope that I can give you a word of encouragement that will make your heart glad. God stands ready to help you with your heavy burdens (Matthew 11:28-30). He will not take all your pain away in this life, but He will give you the strength you need to help you survive (1 Corinthians 10:13). I know life seems hard sometimes, but there is reason to hope. You can survive if you will give yourself in faithful obedience to God. He will help you get through the tough times because He loves you and so, by the way, do I.
Donnie Bates
A peaceful spring on the Macedonian side of Lake Ochrid in the Balkan Mountains
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