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The Antidote for Anxiety and Depression: Trust in Abba Father’s Care – Pt 25

Is Your Heart Sad or Glad?

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

– Proverbs 12:25 

One morning my great-niece (Princess) Rhea and I were in my car going to town. She was about 12 years old at the time. It was obvious that she had observed my behaviours at home, such as locking up in my room, not interacting much with the family, not going out, etc. so she had lots of questions for me. Rhea was always very wise beyond her age and an intelligent child. Therefore, that morning, I felt led to explain to her that I had been struggling with depression and anxiety and what those looked like for me. I expressed to her that I often felt rejected, unloved, unappreciated and taken for granted by the people I loved so dearly. At that time, my heart was filled with excessive anxiety and grief so that I had no interest nor motivation to do anything. If you have read my previous devotions then you can understand why that was so.

Then Rhea said to me, “Auntie Joanne even if you are not told I love you by others, it does not mean that they don’t love you. People show love in different ways. The fact that your mother calls every day and asks for you says that she loves you, and the fact that when you are sad mummy tells Kairo (Rhea’s little brother who was a baby at the time) “Kairo, Auntie Joanne is sad go and give her a hug and a kiss”, is her way of showing that she too loves you, and you know I love you”.

Those words from Rhea were so inspiring and encouraging that my heart was delighted that morning.

I therefore concur with Solomon the wisest man ever lived, that “Heaviness in the heart of man maketh it stoop: but a good word maketh it glad” as he indicated in Proverbs 12:25.

In other words excessive anxiety, or anxious cares and grief bring dejection to your heart and incapacitate you so that you are unable to wield yourself with any vitality in order to fulfil your calling and grow where God has planted you. They also prevent you from enduring the sufferings you are faced with during the course of divine providence. Know “… that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in you” (Romans 8:18). Therefore, friends, you are admonished to be careful of excessive anxiety, and not to mystify yourselves with concern for the future because your Heavenly Father holds your future in His hands. Conversely, a good message will gladden your heart, that is, a compassionate and encouraging word from God through a child, family member, friend, brother or sister in Christ or minister, will give you support and comfort, as well as empower you to live a life of serenity, peace and joy.

If you are experiencing excessive anxiety and grief, and your heart is depressed, it is my prayer that someone will speak a compassionate and encouraging word to gladden your heart today.

Shalom.

MY PRAYER FOR TODAY

Heavenly Father I bow my knees before Your throne and worship at Your footstool. For You are Holy Lord! Thank You for every word of compassion and encouragement that has gladdened my heart. I declare that my heart is free from anxiety and grief, and I am empowered to lead a serene, peaceful and joyous life in Christ. I pray this by faith in Jesus’ name with thanksgiving. Amen!