Facebook Pixel

January 10, 2019

The Solution for Anxiety...

Mr. Isker’s reading in today’s chapel service included this: 

Anxiety in the heart of man causes depression,
But a good word makes it glad. (Proverbs 12:25)   

A good word makes a person’s heart glad!  So Proverbs tells us students need a good word.  We all need this same thing.  But, what is a good word?  A resource that can make one glad, how we all want that! 

Matthew Henry seems to assume the good word is scripture.[1]  He says:  “the good word of God, particularly the gospel, is designed to make the hearts glad that are weary and heavy-laden.” 
He says:  

1.  Here is…The cause and consequence of melancholy. It is heaviness in the heart; it is a load of care, and fear, and sorrow, upon the spirits, depressing them … Those therefore that are inclined to it should watch and pray against it. 

2. Here is…The cure of it: A good word from God, applied by faith, makes it glad; such a word is that…Cast thy burden upon the Lord, and he shall sustain thee; the good word of God, particularly the gospel, is designed to make the hearts glad that are weary and heavy-laden, Mt. 11:28 . Ministers are to be helpers of this joy. 

I think the word that Proverbs refers to, the word that makes us glad, is a bit broader.  It could just be something said by another person.  One writer says:  "A compassionate and encouraging word, from a friend or minister, affords him relief and comfort, and enables him to go on his way with tranquility and peace if not also with joy."[2]  But ultimately, a good word does need to be backed up by God himself.  And, this comes through God’s written word.  

Is this translation from the NKJV a bit strong?  It renders the verse using the words “depression” and “anxiety.”  Maybe someone thinks those terms are reserved for licensed practitioners.  

I say, try it.  Even doctors smile on non-medical solutions.  Try the Word of God.  Pray that the word would be heard by our students and that it would be effective in their lives. 

Written by Robert Thoburn


Print Friendly Version of this pagePrint Get a PDF version of this webpagePDF