...But a Good Word Maketh it Glad

Proverbs 12:25 "Heaviness in the heart of man maketh it stoop: but a good word maketh it glad."

In our world today there are a whole lot of things that can make the heart stoop in heaviness. Discouragement and depression are fiery darts thrown by Satan. He knows that if he can get a Christian so discouraged that they quit focusing on the Lord their steps will slide and their fruit for Him will cease. That's what Satan is all about--hindering and trying to thwart the work of God. The irony of discouragement is how often how little it takes to get us there. I'm not downplaying anyone who has problems, but how often I have seen in my own life where one word fitly spoken or one prayer has totally changed my outlook for the better. There have been many times where the Lord used either a card, poem, song, verse, or person to encourage me and redirect my thoughts to Him. I have witnessed countless testimonies, read many books, and heard lots of stories of how someone's life was changed by one person's encouraging word. Sometimes when we're teetering on that precipice of despair all we need is one hand to guide us back to safety. This week I urge you, make a commitment to encourage at least one person in the Lord. Don't delay, someone may be ready to throw in the towel, someone may be getting ready to make a wrong choice because of discouragement, someone even  may be considering taking their own life!

I know of students on a Christian campus who are on antidepressants. As Christians we shouldn't be doing that! How big is your God? He is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us. Who's power? God's power! The power that spread the stars out in the sky, the power formed the mountains, the power that can redeem souls from hell.

A very recent study found the following in Americans;

"Twelve percent said they took antidepressants; 8.3 percent took anxiety drugs, sedatives or sleeping pills and 1.6 percent took antipsychotic medication. "

Some of the people making up that number are Christians.

Colassians 3:16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.

1 Thessalonians 5:11 "Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do."

This week encourage at least one person in the Lord. Send them a card, a verse with a treat, a little text letting them know you're praying for them. You don't have to take them out to a steak dinner, just show them you love and care about them, and point them to God.

God is near all them that draw near to Him.