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Proverbs 14:10
The heart knoweth his own bitterness; and a stranger doth not intermeddle with his joy.

Proverbs 15:13,15,23
A merry heart maketh a cheerful countenance: but by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken…

Proverbs 17:22
A merry heart doeth goodlike a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones.

but

Proverbs 12:18
There is that speaketh like the piercings of a sword: but the tongue of the wiseis health.

Proverbs 15:23
A man hath joy by the answer of his mouth: and a wordspoken in due season, how goodis it!

Proverbs 16:24
Pleasant wordsare as an honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones.

but a good word cheers it up
A "good word" refers to encouraging, uplifting, or comforting speech. In the context of ancient Israel, words held significant power and were seen as a means of imparting life or death (Proverbs 18:21). This phrase underscores the transformative power of positive communication, which can lift the spirit and bring joy to a troubled heart. The Bible emphasizes the importance of speaking words that build up and encourage others (Ephesians 4:29,Colossians 4:6). This concept is also reflected in the ministry of Jesus Christ, who often spoke words of healing and hope to those burdened by sin and suffering (Matthew 11:28-30). The "good word" can be seen as a type of the Gospel message, which brings ultimate comfort and salvation to those who receive it.

“Anxiety weighs down the heart of a man…” (Proverbs 12:25)

• Anyone who has carried worry knows the heaviness described here.Psalm 38:4 echoes the feeling: “My iniquities overwhelm me; they are a burden too heavy to bear.”

• God never dismisses the reality of anxiety; instead, He calls us to bring it to Him.1 Peter 5:7 says, “Cast all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you.”

• Anxiety, left unchecked, clouds judgment and drains strength (Luke 21:34), underscoring why Scripture urges, “Do not be anxious about anything” (Philippians 4:6).

• In biblical language, the “heart” is the control center of mind, will, and emotions.Proverbs 4:23 warns, “Guard your heart with all diligence, for from it flow springs of life.”

• When anxiety settles in the heart, it influences every decision, attitude, and relationship, much like “rotten water” infects an entire spring (James 3:11–12).

• God draws near to the anxious heart: “The LORD is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit” (Psalm 34:18). His nearness is meant to replace panic with peace.

• A “good word” is timely, truthful, and gracious (Proverbs 16:24: “Pleasant words are a honeycomb…”).

• Spoken blessing reflects God’s own nature;Isaiah 50:4 describes the servant of the LORD as one who “knows how to sustain the weary with a word.”

• Whether from Scripture, a friend, or direct prompting of the Holy Spirit, good words realign our thinking with God’s promises (Colossians 3:16).

• The contrast is immediate: what anxiety sinks, encouragement lifts.Proverbs 17:22 affirms, “A cheerful heart is good medicine.”

• Encouragement is not empty flattery; it is saturated with truth (Ephesians 4:29). The aim is to build up, just as2 Corinthians 1:4 says God “comforts us…so that we can comfort those in any affliction.”

• Daily practice:

– Speak Scripture aloud to yourself (Joshua 1:8).

– Offer affirming words to others (Hebrews 3:13).

– Receive encouragement from Christian community (Acts 28:15).

Anxiety presses down, but God provides a remedy: words grounded in His truth. Guard the heart, cast cares on the Lord, and share life-giving words so that what once felt crushing can be lifted by His gracious encouragement.

Λύπην γὰρ εὔνους οϊδεν ἰᾶσθαι λόγος.

"A word of kindness grief's keen smart can heal." Septuagint, "A word of terror disturbs the heart of a (righteous) man, but a good message will gladden him." The "word of terror" may be an unjust censure, or evil tidings. Says a Servian proverb, "Give me a comrade who will weep with me; one who will laugh I can easily find."

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