Worry is an efficient multi-tasker – it has the capacity to do different, even opposite, things at the same time.
When a worrying thought comes to your mind, it can steal from you and give to you. It can make you feel empty and make you feel heavy. All at the same time.
Worry weighs a person down; an encouraging word cheers a person up.
(Proverbs 12:25)
Isn’t it true that a person who is worried feels tired, fatigued and could even have their shoulders slumped like someone who’s carrying something weighty?
But let’s not focus on the effectiveness of worry right now. Let us look at the (b) part of this verse and discover the first antidote to worry – an encouraging word.
If you have a particular worry that has become a rude neighbour – always showing up uninvited, one of the best things you can do is to prepare for it.
You know this matter has not been resolved, and so the worrying thought will show up again and again. So, why not prepare for it instead of letting it be your master?
Prepare for it with an encouraging word that addresses it. It could be a word that counters it, that explains it or that releases it. It could be the kind words of a friend, a better understanding of the situation, or a word from Scripture. Scripture is the most potent because the Word of God already contains His power.
It may look like you’re not doing much about the worry but speaking or thinking words. After all, the matter that brought on the worry is still very much present.
And a deception of worry is that it makes us think we’re doing something about the situation. But actually we are not. Worrying thoughts are usually negative. They disempower us from producing quality solutions.
But an encouraging word brings courage, brings power, and gives you a sound and productive mind so you can actually figure out a solution where it is necessary.
You may not have a complete solution when a worrying thought shows up. But you can have the first antidote to neutralize it’s effects – an encouraging word.