By Jamere King

Proverbs 12:25

Anxiety in a person’s heart weighs it down, but a good word cheers it up.

Growing up as kids, I’m sure most (if not all) of us have flown a kite at one point or another. I don’t know what it is, but there’s something fascinating and liberating about soaring a kite through the cloudy sky as a nice breeze carries it to and fro. On just the right day, a child could spend hours simply flying a kite, experiencing an unexplainable joy. Yet, there’s only one rule: Don’t let go of the string. There’s only two options when flying a kite: 1) Keep the kite weighed down by string tension or 2) Release the string to allow the wind to carry the kite wherever it pleases. It’s the tension of the string that keeps the kite from being free.

The human heart operates in a similar fashion. 1) Keep the heart weighed down by anxiety, fear, and worry, or 2) Be encouraged by a good, honorable, wise, and timely word that aligns with the word and promises of God.

Anxiety is a natural human experience that no one is immune from experiencing (even Jesus). It carries profound effects on one’s emotional and physical well-being.

Let’s take a look at Timothy’s life. Timothy was a young pastor whom the Apostle Paul constantly encouraged to overcome his fears and anxiety. Put yourself in Timothy’s shoes—imagine traveling with Paul, whom people knew and respected, and now (as a young person) you’re being asked to replace Paul as lead pastor within a city as Paul continued his missionary journeys. Paul’s awareness of Timothy’s fears led him to write these words:

“Don’t let anyone despise your youth, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, and in purity.”

– 1 Timothy 4:12

“Don’t neglect the gift that is in you; it was given to you through prophecy, with the laying on of hands by the council of elders.”

– 1 Timothy 4:14

Even as Paul wrote Timothy in his final letter near his death, he was still uplifting Timothy to release the strings of anxiety and fear so he could fly free as a kite in the hands of God:

“Therefore, I remind you to rekindle the gift of God that is in you through the laying on of my hands. For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but one of power, love, and sound judgment.” – 2 Timothy 1:6-7

Are there any Timothy’s that you know that’s currently being weighed down in a prison of fear and anxiety? Maybe it’s the uncertainty of their future or having shared their current financial situation that feels overwhelming. Maybe there’s a heaviness due to a recent doctor’s diagnosis or maybe even fear of feeling alone relationally.

If you’ve noticed these things, the question is, how are you being like Apostle Paul to help cheer up a heavy heart?

“Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit.” – Proverbs 18:21

A good, truthful, and comforting word goes a long way. It has the transformative power which can lift one’s spirit and bring joy to a troubled heart. As we abide with Jesus, we have the ability to remain ready in season and out of season to provide a word of encouragement for those who need it.