A KIND WORD

“Anxiety in a man’s heart weighs him down, but a good word makes him glad”- Proverbs 12:25 (RSV)

At some point in time, we get worried about one thing or the other. It could be a deadline or target we have to meet, it could be pressures from others or it could even be as a result of expectations we have for ourselves that we’ve not been able to live up to. Sometimes, unexpected things such as the loss of a loved one, loss of a job, rape or any form of failure happen, and before we know it, it really gets to us.

Maybe you’re not experiencing any of these right now, but the truth is there are people around you that carry heaviness in their hearts. We are often quick to give the excuse that we don’t have money to give anyone; we forget something as little as a word of encouragement might just be what someone around us needs at that point. Of course, your money or material gifts could be beneficial but you’ll be surprised that sometimes, all that the person needs is a listener who genuinely cares. Let’s see what the Bible says in Isaiah 60:1-3…

“¹The spirit of the Lord is upon me, because the Lord hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek, he hath sent me to bind up the broken hearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound;

²to proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all that mourn;

³to appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that he might be glorified.”

This is to tell us that God has called us to proclaim his word and lift up the spirits of those around us with our words. There are people drowning in the ocean of life who need someone to be there just to listen to them, pray with them and reassure them of God’s love for them. You may say you have your own issues to deal with but remember we are the salt of the earth. We should walk in the realization of this fact; spreading love to everyone we come across no matter what we are going through. Also, remember, someone somewhere has it worse than you.

As we journey through the week and beyond, endeavour to be sensitive to the needs of others and do not hold back genuine words of encouragement, affirmation and appreciation. As we brighten the days of others in our own little way, may God cause our lights to shine brighter.