A Kind Word

“An anxious heart weighs a man down, but a kind word cheers him up.”

Isn’t that a wonderful word from scripture?! It’s Proverbs 12:25 and for me, it’s a favorite. Hi, I'm Joni Eareckson Tada and maybe you’re like me, often wondering how to encourage an anxious friend. Well, we don’t need a proverb to tell us how anxiety can weigh the heart down, right… just like it says in Proverbs 12. And I know you’ve found yourself sitting with someone maybe over a cup of coffee, or talking with a friend in the church parking lot after Sunday service, or lingering long after lunch, and there you are, listening to their troubles, feeling their anxiety and just wishing you knew what to say.  

Well, I find myself in that situation a lot -- because I connect with many people who suffer; people who have received bad medical reports or news of an injury or illness… believe me, I don’t always feel I know the right thing to say that’ll make the anxiety disappear. But even when you or I are in that situation and simply can’t resolve our friend’s troubles all at once, we can do what Proverbs 12 tells us to do – we can give a kind word!  You don’t have to have a PhD in counseling to do that; you don’t have to have a degree in psychology; you don’t have to understand the person’s problems inside-out.  No, you don’t have to be an expert – the Bible simply tells us to give a kind word. And listen, we all can do that!   

Now that word “kind” in the ancient language of the Bible is one you probably know. In the original Hebrew language of Proverbs 12:25, it is translated “tov” -- perhaps you have heard it used in the phrase Mazel-tov. Hebrew scholars tell us that tov can mean good, beautiful, proper, right, jubilant, gracious, festive… you get the idea! In this proverb, the kind word you offer doesn’t have to resolve whatever problem your anxious friend is facing; the kind word you give doesn’t have to fix it, it doesn’t have to do away with your friends worries… but it does serve the God-given purpose of cheering him up.  

For me, the kind word I give is often in a song – sometimes when I don’t know what to say to a friend who’s overwhelmed with anxiety, I sing. Maybe it’s a line or two from an old hymn, or something uplifting from a praise song. The proper, right and gracious words I often give are in songs. It’s not a big deal… but it is something that can uplift and encourage and cheer.

So today, friend, as you have opportunity, be a good friend to someone who’s heart is heavy; offer a kind word… and do it as often as others you know have heavy hearts. Remember, the tongue that brings healing is a tree of life, it says Proverbs 15. And speaking of kind words, I’ve got a few for you on a special new section of our website – just click on joniandfriends.org and instead of heading directly to the radio page, click on the tab “Joni’s Corner.” It’s where I’ve listed my favorite encouraging quotes by people like Charles Spurgeon, John Piper, C.S. Lewis; I’ve also got my favorite scriptures and hymns, books and testimonies of folks who inspire me. There are photos and downloads, all kinds of stuff. Just consider it my kind word to you today if you happen to be one whose heart is heavy. And if you know of a friend who’s struggling with anxiety or worry, then ask them to join you over at Joni’s Corner at joniandfriends.org. And while you’re there, I really would love to hear from you, too. Don’t forget, before the day is out to come over to Joni’s Corner at joniandfriends.org where you’ll find lots of kind words. See you later, friend… until next time on Joni and Friends.

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