Kind Words Are Healthy to Self and Others

Proverbs 12:25 Updated American Standard Version (UASV)
²⁵Anxiety in a man’s heart weighs him down,
but a good word makes him glad.

Anxiety in a man’s heart weighs him down: The Hebrew term (דְּאָגָה deagah) rendered anxiety means emotion or feeling or restlessness or worry, an emotion of distress, in high anticipation of something in the future. Here the heart (לֵב leb) of the anxious man is a reference to the thinking, the mindset, or nature of one who worries endlessly and needlessly, always anxious over something. This is so much the case that it weighs him down, that is, literally “bows him down,” in the sense that he is always sad, even depressed, feeling that life has turned against him.

but a good word makes him glad: The Hebrew word (טוֹב tob) translated good in this context has the sense of good words from family, friends, or a coworker, or a healthcare worker that are reassuring, encouraging, or helpful. Makes him glad means that these good words raise his spirits and his mental disposition so that he is happy or finds joy, i.e., cheers him up.

Anxiety in your heart can be damaging to one’s well-being. It can lead to depression, robbing you of strength and the initiative to take care of things that lead to a joyful and happy life. Many are the anxieties of this imperfect life in this fallen world and concerns that can contribute (nothing causes anxiety) to the heart being weighed down with sadness. What we need to have the burden lightened and make the heart rejoice is a good word of support, reassurance, and encouragement from an empathetic person. However, how can others know the intensity of the anxious distress in our hearts unless we open up to them and talk about it? Yes, when we experience distress or depression, we must confide in an understanding person who can help. Moreover, when we put our feelings into words, it relieves some of our heart’s anguish. Therefore, it is good to trust in a marriage mate, a friend, or a compassionate and spiritually qualified friend from the Christian congregation.