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Proverbs 12:25 says, “An anxious heart weighs a man down.”(NIV) Anxiety is a real problem. According to some research published in 1996, anxiety disorders will affected almost 27 million people in the United States at some point during their lifetime. It is probably more post COVID! It certainly seems that anxiety levels went up during the pandemic! Also, the economic impact of anxiety in 1990 was $46.6 billion, three quarters of it in lost productivity.* Being anxious is not a pleasant experience!
So, what’s the answer? I find it interesting that the verse in Proverbs say anxious people need a kind word. Listen to the entire verse: “An anxious heart weighs a man down, but a kind word cheers him up.”(NIV)
Do you recognize the implication of this? If we want to reduce the stress and anxiety in our lives, we need to seek out kind words. You’re not likely to find them in the media. Also, if we want to help others with their stress and anxiety, we need to be the source of kind words. Can you imagine the impact, if kind words spread virally from person to person? We’d all be happier! It would probably not take away all anxiety disorders, but I think they’d be reduced.
Remember, kind words are not sharp, insulting or irritating. They are generous, big-hearted and flow over people like smooth honey, full of sweetness. May your words be kind today!
*DuPont RL, Rice DP, Miller LS, Shiraki SS, Rowland CR, Harwood HJ, “Economic costs of anxiety disorders,” 1996, https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/9160618/
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Bumper music “Landing Place” performed by Mark July, used under license from Shutterstock.