An Anxious Heart

It’s an epidemic. Opioid addiction has become a national epidemic in America. But it’s not only opioid-based medications that are a problem.There are so many disorders from depression to behavior problems that has brought the plague of prescription drugs to our nation. Pain isn’t always physical. When a person has an anxious heart, it’s painful—a heavy, penetrating pain.

America may be a rich and powerful nation but we’re weighed down with worry and can’t seem to get out from under this burden without a prescription.

But there is another way to deal with an anxious heart. It doesn’t require a doctor appointment or a prescription, or any specialized training.

Anxiety may weigh a person down—

…but an encouraging word makes him joyful.

It may seem too simple. some psychological disorders may still require treatment and medications but genuine encouragement is still helpful . I’ve seen this firsthand.

Words are powerful. They can tear down or build someone up. What we hear is played back in our minds over and over, like a never-ending recording. It’s called self-talk.

Destructive words go deep. They penetrate our hearts and embed themselves in our minds.

Careless words stab like a sword… (Prov 12:18)

It doesn’t matter who says them. When spoken by those we’re closest to—parents, a spouse, siblings, children, significant others, friends, people at work or school—their wounding words go deep.

So, How can you deal with worries and wounding words?

We all need to hear encouraging words of truth from people we trust. People who are trustworthy and those who we know care about us. we need to speak encouraging words and be genuine and trustworthy with others.

Here is the counter to the words that “stab like a sword”—

…but the words of wise people bring healing. (Prov 12:18)

Notice it says, “words.” Not —”Oh, they didn’t really mean that…” or, “just ignore what they say.”

Genuine and encouraging words are needed.

Words of encouragement need to come from people wise enough to know what is needed. They need to be words of truth—

The word of truth lasts forever… (Prov 12:19)

If you have an anxious heart and you’re weighed down with many words, you need to be around people you trust. People who can encourage you with the truth.

Where? Church is a good place to start but I know too many wounding words are spoken by people in churches.

We need to seek out believers who are accepting and loving in a biblical way. It could be a church or a small group connected to a church or ministry.

There are no quick fixes. 

A continuing flow of encouraging truth is the only way healing can go deep enough in our hearts and minds. This will lighten the load of worries.