‘Heaviness in the heart of man maketh it stoop: but a good word maketh it glad.’ Prov 12:25
Have you ever had heaviness of heart? Have you ever been anxious, worried about the present and apprehensive about what the future might hold. If so you are not the only one. All of us at one time or another find ourselves in that situation. This little verse addresses the problem of a heavy heart.
It paints a picture, in just a few words, of someone who is bowed down, who is figuratively stooped and bent over because of an anxious heart. This person is downcast and discouraged, full of uneasiness, fear, apprehension and stress. This is someone who has come to the end of his tether, who just does not know what to do. Worry has given way to despair, and the burden is so heavy that this person has hit rock-bottom, now looks downward all the time, and cannot even look up for help.
But then something occurs that brings about a noticeable change. Depression and dejection have lifted. That person is no longer stooped, the load has lightened. What has happened? A good word was spoken to him, and this good word banished the heaviness in his heart.
We human beings need to hear a good word every now and then. From time to time we all require encouragement. In this verse a wise man observed that a good word makes a person glad. The good word actually uplifts the anxious heart.
Think of some examples of individuals in the Bible who had heaviness of the heart;
Nehemiah:- ‘And it came to pass, when I heard these words, that I sat down and wept, and mourned certain days, and fasted, and prayed before the God of heaven.’ Neh 1:4
David:- ‘I am troubled; I am bowed down greatly; I go mourning all the day long.’ Psalm 38:6
Jeremiah:- ‘When I would comfort myself against sorrow, my heart is faint in me.’Jer 8:18
Where is that necessary ‘good word’ likely to come from. Let me suggest three possible sources.
1. THE WORD OF GOD
‘…thy word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart…’ Jer 15:16
Ideally, for a Christian, the first recourse for support should always be the living word of God. We ought to turn immediately to the Bible whenever we need ‘a good word’. There are many ‘exceeding great and precious promises’ (2 Pet 1:4) and encouraging verses in God’s word. Verses such as:
‘For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.’ 2 Tim 1:7
‘Be of good courage, and he shall strengthen your heart, all ye that hope in the LORD.’ Psalm 31:24
‘Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.’ Jn 14:27
When we are bowed down with worry let us turn to the Bible, and find relief from heaviness of heart.
2. THE ASSEMBLY OF GOD
‘Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.’ Heb 10:25
We ought to receive encouragement at the meetings of the assembly of God, the local church. There may be exceptions but, generally speaking, whenever we attend a meeting, especially the ‘Breaking of Bread’, we receive ‘a good word’ as a result of hearing:
- The hymns of worship sung.
- Thanks given to God for his great plan of salvation.
- The word of God publicly read and preached.
- The name of the our Lord Jesus uplifted and praised.
3. THE CHILDREN OF GOD
Still thinking of v.25 of Hebrews 10:
“… exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.” Hebrews 10:25
Every Christian has a responsibility to encourage others. According to the author of the Epistle to the Hebrews this is something we ought to do often. Do you ever take the time to speak ‘a good word’ of encouragement and comfort to a fellow-believer?
Finally, it is possible to become so bowed down with anxiety that we just don’t get anything from reading the Bible, attending church meetings (even if able to do so), or conversing with other Christians. In the event that we find ourselves in such a distressing situation let us console ourselves with the thought that God loves us. At the very least, when nothing else seems to be going right, we can rely on that.
‘The LORD hath appeared of old unto me, saying, Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee.’ Jer 31:3
Notice that ‘thee’ is singular. God’s love for each one of us is personal and individual.
Aren’t we thankful that there is a remedy for heaviness (anxiety, fear and apprehension) in our hearts. This verse supplies the solution. Proverbs 12:25 says plainly that ‘a good word’ will restore our joy.
‘Heaviness in the heart of man maketh it stoop: but a good word maketh it glad.’
Written Exposition 