Anxiety weighs down the heart, but a kind word cheers it up. Proverbs 12:25

Today’s Scripture

Proverbs 12:21-28

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Today’s Devotional

Could eight minutes change someone’s life? In a world where meaningful connections can be rare, author Jancee Dunn proposes the power of an eight-minute phone call. She believes such brief calls can help us connect with family and friends. Studies show that such calls a few times a week help reduce depression, loneliness, and anxiety. And Dunn cites the research of other experts who affirm that minor relationship adjustments can profoundly affect our well-being and that of others.

This insight aligns with Proverbs 12:25, which states, “Anxiety weighs down the heart, but a kind word cheers it up.” In this verse, anxiety refers to a person’s emotional response to a threat to their well-being. Being anxious can also stem from fear and uncertainty about the future. For believers in Jesus, reassuring and encouraging words can help transform others’ anxiety into cheerfulness and lead to real life (v. 28). Those words can also provide signposts to help others “choose their friends carefully” (v. 26).

Let’s pray and ask God who might need an eight-minute call with encouraging words based in Scripture. Though brief, this simple act of connection might just be the spark He uses to lighten someone’s load, brighten their day, and offer them hope and healing.

Reflect & Pray

How can you share Scripture-based words of hope with others today? Why is it vital to share the hope of Christ with those who are anxious?

Dear Jesus, please help me speak words of kindness and hope to those who are anxious and lonely.

For further study, read A Peaceful Heart.

Today’s Insights

Although some sections of the book of Proverbs (such as chs. 3-5; 31:10-31) clearly go together, it’s most often the case that each proverb stands alone. We must slow down to read them. The verses contained in Proverbs 12:21-28 include eight seemingly unrelated sayings, yet there’s a common theme. Seven of these eight proverbs employ antithetical parallelism, where a truth is put forth and then contrasted with its opposite: the “righteous” contrasted with the “wicked” (v. 26), the “lazy” with the “diligent” (v. 27), “lying lips” versus “people who are trustworthy” (v. 22). The last verse of the chapter uses synonymous parallelism that builds on the stated truth: “In the way of righteousness there is life; along that path is immortality” (v. 28). As we read and meditate on these proverbs, their wisdom will build us up. We can ask God to show us who, in turn, might need to hear encouraging words from Scripture.

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