Proverbs 12:25 - Dealing With Anxiety Which Can Cause Depression.
Proverbs 12:25 (NKJV) Anxiety in the heart
of man causes depression, But a good word makes
it glad.
Proverbs 12:25 (NIV) Anxiety weighs down the
heart, but a kind word cheers it up.
Proverbs 12:25 (NLT) Worry weighs a person
down; an encouraging word cheers a person up.
PREFACE
Some stresses/anxieties God has made
provisions for and expects us to make use of them to
find relief i.e., medication, surgery,
counseling, etc.
INTRODUCTION
The face glows with joy when the heart is
full of light and peace. But the spirit is broken
by continued sorrow of heart. When anxiety is
permitted to reign, resilience is steadily weakened,
until at last the resistance of the mind may be
broken. [SDA Bible Commentary]
Anxiety/Heaviness can be greatly lightened
by a word of hope and encouragement, and an
exhortation to faith in the promises of God (see Isa.
35:3, 4). [SDA Bible Commentary]
Anxiety loses some of its force in the face
of a positive, encouraging word. Barnabass
encouragement of Paul is a great example of this (see Acts
4:36; 9:27; 11:2"30; Gal. 2:1). [Nelson SB]
COMMENTARY PEARL
Power of the Mind
The relation that exists between the mind
and the body is very intimate. When one is
affected, the other sympathizes. The condition of the
mind affects the health to a far greater degree
than many realize. Many of the diseases from
which men suffer are the result of mental
depression. Grief, anxiety, discontent, remorse, guilt,
distrust, all tend to break down the life forces and
to invite decay and death.
Disease is sometimes produced, and is
often greatly aggravated, by the imagination. Many
are lifelong invalids who might be well if they
only thought so. Many imagine that every slight
exposure will cause illness, and the evil effect is
produced because it is expected. Many die from
disease the cause of which is wholly imaginary.
Courage, hope, faith, sympathy, love,
promote health and prolong life. A contented mind, a
cheerful spirit, is health to the body and strength
to the soul. "A merry [rejoicing] heart doeth
good like a medicine." Proverbs 17:22.
In the treatment of the sick the effect
of mental influence should not be overlooked.
Rightly used, this influence affords one of the most
effective agencies for combating disease. {MH 241}
[Remnant SOP SB re Proverbs 17:22]
COMMENTARY
Anxiety/Worry and Prayer
Worry is wearisome. It is fatigue to our
emotions like physical pain is to our bodies. Worry
can trigger stomachaches, high blood pressure,
headaches, anxiety disorders and depression. It is an
enemy to a joy filled and productive life. Worry
can so weigh you down that you are immobilized
by lack of energy and fear.
Your family tree may have borne the fruit
of worry over generations, but you can purge
obsession with negative thinking through trust in the
Lord. Jesus teaching is very clear, But seek
first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all
these things will be given to you as well.
Therefore, do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow
will worry about itself. Each day has enough
trouble of its own (Matthew 6:33-34). Exercised
trust energizes the weary.
Your personality may lend itself to
worry. You can see it in your furrowed brow, or
brooding countenance. You worry about the economy and
its effect on your retirement. You wring your
hands over the war and wonder when it will ever
end. You are stressed out over work, because of
situations and people you are unable to change. Anxiety
may have paralyzed you as a parent, because you
dont feel qualified to carry out your
responsibilities.
Alcohol has become your outlet for those
things you cannot control, but the gnawing fear is
still there the next day. One simple solution is
to make a two-column prayer list with the
headings Things I cant change and Things
I can change. Ask God for faith and
patience with the former and wisdom and courage to
act on the latter. Prayer is your time-tested
prescription for worry:
Do not be anxious about anything, but
in everything, by prayer and petition, with
thanksgiving, present your requests to God (Philippians
4:6).
Furthermore, look for those who long to
be encouraged, who feel trapped by the
anxieties of life (Luke 21:34). They need the truth of
Gods word, because the cares of this world try to
marginalize the truth. Truth can be forgotten in the
fearful suffering of severe trials. Your kind words
remind them of Christs care and concern for
their health, family and their faith.
Lift yourself and others out of the
downward spiral of depression by cheering them up
with truth. Read the Bible out loud with a friend
and meditate on its promises that are filled
with hope and encouragement. Use uncertainty as a
reason not to worry, but rest in the Lord. You are
freed up when you dont fret, but apply faith
instead. Above all else, His word wins over worry and
provides strength for your faith journey!
Jesus answered, It is written: Man
shall not live on bread alone, but on every word
that comes from the mouth of God (Matthew
4:4). [Wisdom Hunters Devotional]
PRAYER the Better Way
Anxiety weighs down the human heart
(Proverbs 12:25 NRSV). But theres a better way.
Invite God to speak to the problem. Capture
every thought and make it give up and obey
Christ (2 Corinthians 10:5 NCV).
Slap handcuffs on the culprit, and march
it before the One who has all authority! Jesus
says, Get away from here, Satan! And as the
discerning, sober-minded air traffic controller of your
mind, you refuse to let the thought have the time
of day.
Lay claim to every biblical promise you
can remember, and set out to learn a few more.
Give Satan no quarter. Give his lies no welcome.
Resist the urge to exaggerate, overstate, or
simplify. Focus on the facts. For all you know, God
may want you to be a poster child for growth.
What you can do is pray and trust! [Max Lucado
Daily Devotional at maxlucado.com]
Anxiety/Worry and ENCOURAGEMENT
A word of encouragement does
wonders! (Proverbs 12:25 TLB).
If someone came to you today and said,
Lets go have some coffee; I want to point out all
the areas in your life that need changing,
you probably wouldnt be thrilled to have that
conversation. You might think, Who do you think you
are? You might become resentful, rebellious, and
resistant.
Heres a better strategy. When you have
a speak-the-truth-in-love session with
somebody, begin and end on a positive note, and affirm
these things:
1. You love and care for that person.
2. You will pray for and help that person.
3. You believe that person can change.
Paul did this in 1 and 2 Corinthians by
beginning and ending with affirmation. For example,
Paul starts one letter by saying, I always
thank God for you, and ends with, My love to
all of you in Christ Jesus. Between that
hes dealing with some very tough truths while
also giving affirmation in the middle: I have
great confidence in you, and I have a lot of
reasons to be proud of you (2 Corinthians 7:4
GW).
Notice that Paul used the word and.
Never use the word but in a confrontation.
The moment you do, whatever you say before or
after will be totally ignored and invalidated:
I think youre a great person, but .,
Weve been friends a long time, but .
Instead, use the word and: Youre a great
person, and I believe you can be even better,
Weve got a great relationship, and I believe
there are some things we need to work on.
Thats what it means to affirm someone. [Daily
Devotional by Rick Warren:
https://pastorrick.com/devotional/]
Anxiety/Worry and KINDNESS
Kindness is commended throughout the book
of Proverbs not as an emotion felt, but as an
action performed. We may feel compassion, sorrow or
regret at the misfortunes of others, but it is when
we turn those feelings into actions that we
show kindness. Kindness is one of the most
endearing and heartwarming expressions of the human
heart. Nothing lifts us up like receiving a little
kindness, and nothing strengthens and enlarges us like
giving it. There may be many Christian practices
that are hard for us to implement, but this isn't
one of them. If we simply show kindness, we will
demonstrate something of the heart of God. [NIV Once A
Day Bible]
Anxiety/Worry and REST
Sometimes we just need rest.
Experts say that worry and anxiety
actually can cause deep depression. The Bible told us
this long ago. Proverbs 12:25 says, Anxiety in
the heart of man causes depression, but a good
word makes it glad (verse 25 NKJV).
We might think that worry is somehow a
virtue, but worry actually can be a sin because
its a failure to trust God. Nothing touches the
Christian that has not first passed through the loving
hands of God.
Think of the prophet Daniel, a man of
God. He faithfully delivered the word of God to
kings, and no one intimidated him. But some who
knew Daniel, other officials in the kingdom, were
very jealous of him.
Because Daniel was such a man of
integrity, they couldnt find anything in his life to
trip him up. So they decided the only way they
could bring something against Daniel was to find
something concerning him and his God.
They knew that Daniel had the habit of
praying every day. So they convinced King Darius to
sign a decree that no one could pray to anyone
except the king for the next 30 days. And if
someone disobeyed the decree, he would have them
thrown into a den of lions.
Daniel, however, prayed as he always
prayed, and immediately the authorities arrested him
and threw them into a den of lions to be fed to
them alive. King Darius, who liked Daniel, spent
the entire night worrying. Meanwhile, Daniel
slept like a baby in the lions den. And the
next morning, the king gave the order to bring
out Daniel, who was very much alive.
Psalm 127:2 says, God gives rest to
his loved ones (NLT). We can rest in the
Lord, knowing that He is in control and at work in
our lives. [Greg Laurie from Harvest Ministries;
https://www.harvestdaily.com]
CLOSING THOUGHTS
Positive Attitude. Gratitude, rejoicing,
benevolence, trust in God's love and care--these are
health's greatest safeguard. To the Israelites they
were to be the very keynote of life. {MH 281.3}
[Remnant SOP SB]
Since anxiety can cause depression, then
Phi. 4:6-7 is the solution for both as it tells
us how God expects us to deal with anxiety: The
Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything,
but in everything, by prayer and petition, with
thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace
of God, which transcends all understanding,
will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ
Jesus. Phil 4:5-7 (NIV) FGibbs
LINKS FOR FURTHER STUDY ON THIS TOPIC
Psalm 42:5 - Finding Hope in Discouragement
and Depression.
http://www.abible.com/devotions/2020/20200610-0847.html
Psalm 42:5 - Dealing With Discouragement and
Depression.
http://www.abible.com/devotions/2019/20190105-2037.html
Psalm 43:5 - Remedies for Discouragement and
Depression.
http://www.abible.com/devotions/2012/20120502-1812.html
Proverbs 17:22 - A Merry, Joyful, Happy,
Cheerful Heart Is Like Medicine.
http://www.abible.com/devotions/2016/20160331-1405.html
Proverbs 15:13 (NKJV) A merry heart makes a
cheerful countenance, But by sorrow of the heart the
spirit is broken.
YOUR COMMENTS
If anyone has a paraphrase, commentary or
testimony on this passage of Scripture, either
personal or otherwise, I would be interested in
hearing from you. Thanks in advance and let's keep
uplifting Jesus that all might be drawn to Him. Fred
Gibbs
LINKS WORTH CHECKING OUT
Most Important Decision in Life:
http://www.youtube.com/embed/WGnEuGwvXqU?rel=0
A Man without Equal by Bill Bright:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NiVa7UoruIo
Steps to Peace by Billy Graham:
https://stepstopeace.org/
Seeking God Made Real:
http://vimeo.com/31489782
Prayer Made Real:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tc8VdMV26VE
LINKS FOR BIBLE STUDIES
Lifting Up Jesus Bible Studies:
http://www.liftingupjesus.net/
Amazing Facts Bible Studies:
http://www.amazingfacts.org/bible-study/bible-study-guides.aspx
Voice of Prophecy Discover Bible Study
Guides:
https://www.voiceofprophecy.com/study/discover
Glow Tract Video Bible Studies:
http://www.bibleresearch.info/
LINKS FOR BIBLE PROPHECY SEMINARS
Unlocking Bible Prophecies by Cami Oetman of
Adventist World Radio: https://www.awr.org/bible
Panorama of Prophecy with Pastor Doug
Batchelor: https://www.panoramaofprophecy.com/
Hope Awakens by John Bradshaw of IIW:
https://itiswritten.tv/programs/hope-awakens
Prophecies Decoded by Pastor Ron Clouzet:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL1A435C5373550657
Islam and Christianity in Prophecy, The
Third and Final Conflict by Tim Roosenberg:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gHSJB-fuHLU&list=PLWhQIHGTHlkaGg5Cwe3NDzWtFX8vNSpsE
