MENTAL HEALTH IN THE PROVERBS: THE WEIGHT OF ANXIETY
PROVERBS 12:25
#mentalhealth
READ PROVERBS 12:25 (ESV)
Anxiety in a man's heart weighs him down, but a good word makes him glad.
ILLUSTRATION… A WHOLE LOTTA NUMBERS
Globally, approximately 275 million people, or about 3.5% of the world population, were living with anxiety disorders in 2024. In 2024, anxiety levels among American adults are notably high, with 43% reporting feeling more anxious than the previous year. In 2024, this increase was partially attributed to stress related to national and world events, the economy, and the election (LAOP Center). In the United States, anxiety disorders are the most common mental illness, affecting over 40 million adults.
Among Specific Populations (US):
* Around 1 in 5 children aged 6-17 experience anxiety
* About 31.9% of adolescents aged 13-18 struggle with anxiety disorders
* A significant number of college students report struggling with their mental health, with 70% reporting mental health issues since starting college. Around 20% of college students experience serious psychological distress, and 35% are diagnosed with anxiety.
* Seniors: Approximately 15% of adults aged 65 and older experience anxiety.
* Gender: Women are nearly twice as likely as men to have anxiety disorders
* Native Americans have the highest prevalence of anxiety symptoms (68.67%)
Anxiety disorders are the most common mental health conditions, affecting 19.1% of adults. Specific Types of Anxiety Disorders: Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) affects about 6.8 million adults (3.1%), panic disorder affects 6 million (2.7%), social anxiety disorder (SAD) affects 15 million (7.1%), and specific phobias affect 19.3 million (9.1%).
Stress is a major contributor to anxiety, with 53% of adults citing its impact on their mental health. Current events like the economy (77%), the 2024 US election (73%), and gun violence (69%) are significant sources of anxiety. Lack of sufficient sleep (40%) also impacts mental health.
In summary, anxiety disorders are prevalent globally and in the US, affecting various demographics and increasing over time. Factors like stress, current events, and lack of sleep contribute to anxiety.
READ PROVERBS 12:25 (NIV2011)
Anxiety weighs down the heart, but a kind word cheers it up.
The English word "anxiety" comes from the Latin word "ango," meaning "to constrict or narrow." This Latin root is related to other root words which give rise to words like "angst" (German) and "anxious" (English). In essence, the etymology of "anxiety" suggests a feeling of being constricted or tightened, which aligns with the physiological and psychological symptoms associated with anxiety. What may happen to and in a person, who is dealing with anxiety?
* Dizziness or lightheadedness, * Dry mouth, * Excessive sweating even in the absence of physical exertion, * Excessive worry and inability to concentrate, * Increased heart rate and restlessness
* Intrusive thoughts, * Irritability, * Muscle tension or aches, * Nausea, stomach aches, or diarrhea
* Sense of impending panic without a clear reason, * Shortness of breath or rapid breathing
* Sleep disturbances, * Trembling or shaking in the hands or legs
TRANSITION
As I was thinking about the topic of anxiety and praying over Proverbs 12:25, it occurred to me that the verse overall is a positive one. King Solomon says to us wisely that anxiety in a person’s heart is a weight, but a good word helps to lessen that weight. Do you see that? The verse is not difficult to understand. I also thought that while the verse is overall positive… the opposite… the negative… the unwise… is also true. Anxiety in a person’s heart is a weight, and a bad word increases the weight. What does that unwise-foolish-poor-negative reaction look like?
REACTING TO SOMEONE’S ANXIETY IN A FOOLISH MANNER
Reacting to someone’s anxiety in a foolish manner is easy to do:
A poor way to react to someone’s anxiety would be to dismiss their feelings or minimize what they are feeling. If I am honest, I think this is perhaps a ‘go-to’ bad reaction of mine. Saying things like: “Just calm down” or “You’re overreacting” or “It’s not a big deal” is not all that helpful and makes the person in front of you feel unheard, foolish, and alone.
A foolish way to react to someone’s anxiety would be to shame them for the way they are feeling. Saying things like: “You are being ridiculous” and “You are weak” is not helpful and only adds to the stress they feel.
An unwise way to react to someone’s anxiety would be to tell them exactly what they should do. Often, we give advice right away without listening which makes a person feel like they should not have shared in the first place. To someone with anxiety, we are making them feel even more unsafe.
A harmful way to react to someone’s anxiety would be to compare their struggle or issue with something else. Saying things like: “Well, at least you don’t have tooth decay” or “Other people have it worse.” While this is intended to offer perspective, it sorta ignores what is going on with the person right in front of you.
A poor way to react to someone’s anxiety would be to become angry at them. It can be frustrating when trying to deal with anxiety and if someone is angry with you about it, this only amplifies the anxiety and shame.
A foolish way to react to someone’s anxiety would be to just ignore the whole issue or avoid them as they are suffering. When we pretend that nothing is wrong, it makes the person feel more isolated and piles more worry on top of what they already feel.
A harsh way to react to someone’s anxiety would be to mock them or make fun of them about it. Joking about their fear or labeling them “dramatic” is humiliation that deepens what they feel and breaks trust that you are someone to talk to.
A foolish way to react to someone’s anxiety would be to immediately throw God at them. Yes, you heard me… but hear my words exactly… immediately throw God at them. Immediately saying “Just pray more” or “You shouldn’t feel anxious if you trust God” without listening and empathizing creates guilt rather than comfort. God is definitely the solution, but only when they are able to hear it.
Like I said, reacting to someone’s anxiety in a foolish manner is easy to do. It is easy to do because often we react harshly. Also, it seems that there are many ways to react to someone with anxiety that is not helpful because many times we do not understand what they are feeling or why. Reacting to someone’s anxiety in a foolish manner is easy to do.
God does not call us to be foolish, but wise.
God does not call us to be foolish, but encouraging.
God does not call us to be foolish, but uplifting.
God does not call us to be foolish, but reassuring.
God does not call us to be foolish, but hopeful.
God does not call us to be foolish, but wants us to point people to Him.
READ PROVERBS 12:25 (AMP)
Anxiety in a man’s heart weighs it down, but a good (encouraging) word makes it glad.
TRANSITION
King Solomon says to us that anxiety in a person’s heart is a weight, but a good word helps to lessen that weight. As we just talked about, the opposite is also true. Anxiety in a person’s heart is a weight, and a bad word increases the weight. We now know what NOT to do, but what SHOULD WE DO? In my mind, reacting to someone’s anxiety in a wise manner that lightens their burden is difficult to do. It is difficult to do, but can be done. How do I know that? I see it in the Scriptures.
REACTING TO SOMEONE’S ANXIETY IN A WISE MANNER
One passage in which we see someone reacting well actually surprises me. In 1 Samuel 1, we are introduced to Hannah who is a woman in a difficult marriage. She has no children which brings untold amounts of anxiety and hardship into her life. We are also introduced to Eli, the high priest, who later lets his priest-children misuse their office for sexual gain… so he’s not highly regarded in the Book or my book, but in 1 Samuel 1 he reacts wisely which surprises me. Let’s read what happens between them:
READ 1 Samuel 1:9-18 (ESV)
“After they had eaten and drunk in Shiloh, Hannah rose. Now Eli the priest was sitting on the seat beside the doorpost of the temple of the Lord. 10 She was deeply distressed and prayed to the Lord and wept bitterly. 11 And she vowed a vow and said, “O Lord of hosts, if you will indeed look on the affliction of your servant and remember me and not forget your servant, but will give to Your servant a son, then I will give him to the Lord all the days of his life, and no razor shall touch his head.” 12 As she continued praying before the Lord, Eli observed her mouth. 13 Hannah was speaking in her heart; only her lips moved, and her voice was not heard. Therefore Eli took her to be a drunken woman. 14 And Eli said to her, “How long will you go on being drunk? Put your wine away from you.” 15 But Hannah answered, “No, my lord, I am a woman troubled in spirit. I have drunk neither wine nor strong drink, but I have been pouring out my soul before the Lord. 16 Do not regard your servant as a worthless woman, for all along I have been speaking out of my great anxiety and vexation.” 17 Then Eli answered, “Go in peace, and the God of Israel grant your petition that you have made to him.” 18 And she said, “Let your servant find favor in your eyes.” Then the woman went her way and ate, and her face was no longer sad.”
Please notice Hannah’s state of being: Deeply distressed (verse 10), weeping bitterly (verse 10), troubled in spirit (verse 15), feels worthless (verse 16), full of anxiety (verse 16), and full of vexation (verse 16). It is the word “anxiety” in verse 16 that caught my attention because that word matches Proverbs 12:25.
At first, Eli reprimands her because he does not understand that is going on. The priest knows she is not acting appropriately, made a snap judgment, and was wrong about that judgment. We all sort of identify with Eli. In that moment, he makes her weight heavier and her anxiety more of a burden. They chat and very importantly… he listens. He listened to understand what was going on in her life.
His wise response was encouraging, uplifting, reassuring, hopeful, and pointed Hannah to God. He prayed a blessing for her that she would have peace in all of the anxiety and vexation. The end of verse 18 tells us that her weight was lighter because of his words.
READ PROVERBS 12:25 (YLT)
Sorrow in the heart of a man boweth down, and a good word maketh him glad.
Another passage in which we see someone reacting well actually doesn’t surprise me because the one acting and speaking is YHWH God. After a great victory, Elijah received a death threat and fled in fear and despair. Fear + despair = anxiety. Elijah wanted to die, but God sent an angel to feed and encourage him. On Mount Horeb, God appeared to Elijah, not to make his emotional burden heavier, but to lighten it. Let’s read what happens to him:
READ 1 Kings 19:1-18 (ESV)
Ahab told Jezebel all that Elijah had done, and how he had killed all the prophets with the sword. 2 Then Jezebel sent a messenger to Elijah, saying, “So may the gods do to me and more also, if I do not make your life as the life of one of them by this time tomorrow.” 3 Then he was afraid, and he arose and ran for his life and came to Beersheba, which belongs to Judah, and left his servant there. 4 But he himself went a day's journey into the wilderness and came and sat down under a broom tree. And he asked that he might die, saying, “It is enough; now, O Lord, take away my life, for I am no better than my fathers.” 5 And he lay down and slept under a broom tree. And behold, an angel touched him and said to him, “Arise and eat.” 6 And he looked, and behold, there was at his head a cake baked on hot stones and a jar of water. And he ate and drank and lay down again. 7 And the angel of the Lord came again a second time and touched him and said, “Arise and eat, for the journey is too great for you.” 8 And he arose and ate and drank, and went in the strength of that food forty days and forty nights to Horeb, the mount of God.
9 There he came to a cave and lodged in it. And behold, the word of the Lord came to him, and He said to him, “What are you doing here, Elijah?” 10 He said, “I have been very jealous for the Lord, the God of hosts. For the people of Israel have forsaken Your covenant, thrown down Your altars, and killed Your prophets with the sword, and I, even I only, am left, and they seek my life, to take it away.” 11 And he said, “Go out and stand on the mount before the Lord.” And behold, the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind tore the mountains and broke in pieces the rocks before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind. And after the wind an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. 12 And after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire the sound of a low whisper. 13 And when Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his cloak and went out and stood at the entrance of the cave. And behold, there came a voice to him and said, “What are you doing here, Elijah?” 14 He said, “I have been very jealous for the Lord, the God of hosts. For the people of Israel have forsaken Your covenant, thrown down Your altars, and killed Your prophets with the sword, and I, even I only, am left, and they seek my life, to take it away.” 15 And the Lord said to him, “Go, return on your way to the wilderness of Damascus. And when you arrive, you shall anoint Hazael to be king over Syria. 16 And Jehu the son of Nimshi you shall anoint to be king over Israel, and Elisha the son of Shaphat of Abel-meholah you shall anoint to be prophet in your place. 17 And the one who escapes from the sword of Hazael shall Jehu put to death, and the one who escapes from the sword of Jehu shall Elisha put to death. 18 Yet I will leave seven thousand in Israel, all the knees that have not bowed to Baal, and every mouth that has not kissed him.”
Please notice Elijah’s state of being: “afraid” (verse 3), “ran for his life” (verse 3), he asked to die (verse 4), overwhelmed (verse 7), and isolated (verses 10, 14). I thought of this passage because among what Elijah is feeling is a sense of fear with panic which I would call “anxiety.” The word “anxiety” is not in this passage like in 1 Samuel 1, but all the elements and description is there.
What does God do?
In verses 5-8, God allows him to rest and provides physical care.
In verse 9, God asks a question and listens to Elijah’s honest pain.
In verse 11, God does not come to Elijah in the strong wind.
In verse 11, God does not come to Elijah in a shaking earthquake.
In verse 12, God does not come to Elijah in a burning fire.
In verse 12, God comes to Elijah in a gentle whisper.
In verse 13, God asks a question and listens.
In verses 15-18, God was encouraging, uplifting, reassuring, hopeful, and pointed Elijah to Himself.
God revealed Himself gently to Elijah because Elijah was in a bad place mentally, emotionally, physically, and spiritually. If you don’t think that is true, then you aren’t reading the same Bible passage I’m reading! God shows His presence in a low whisper, not in a dramatic shaking terrifying intervention.
Like I said, acting and reacting to someone’s anxiety in a foolish manner is easy to do. It is easy to do because often we react harshly, without thinking, and without seeing the full picture. In my mind, reacting to someone’s anxiety in a wise manner that lightens their burden is difficult to do. It is difficult to do, but can be done. We see it in the two Scriptures we just looked at.
God does not call us to be foolish, but wise and to listen first.
God does not call us to be foolish, but encouraging with our words.
God does not call us to be foolish, but uplifting in our advice.
God does not call us to be foolish, but reassuring in our tone.
God does not call us to be foolish, but hopeful in our perspective.
God does not call us to be foolish, but wants us to point people to Him.
READ PROVERBS 12:25 (ESV)
Anxiety in a man's heart weighs him down, but a good word makes him glad.
Reacting to someone’s anxiety in a wise manner is hard to do, but with the prayerful filling of the Holy Spirit, you and I can lift burdens, lighten loads, and make hearts glad in the midst of anxiety. What does that sound like?
* Be wise and listen first.
"I’m here to listen to whatever is on your mind today. I may not have the answers, but I want to understand what you’re feeling."
* Be encouraging with our words.
"I know this feels overwhelming right now, but I see how hard you’re trying, and that takes courage."
* Be uplifting in our advice.
"Maybe today you can just focus on one small thing you can control, and trust God with the rest. That might ease the pressure a bit."
* Be reassuring in our tone.
(Gentle tone) “It’s okay to feel anxious. You’re not alone in this. I’m right here with you, and God is too.”
* Be hopeful in our perspective.
"Even though this season is heavy, it won’t last forever. God still has hope and purpose for your life beyond this moment."
* Point people to God. Every single time. Every single time.
"When things feel out of control, remember you can always turn to God in prayer, even if it’s just saying, ‘Help me, Lord.’ He hears you."
TRANSITION
I have one last thought as we think about anxiety and lightening loads.
ONE LAST THOUGHT
You might be listening and don’t understand much about anxiety. You might be listening and figured out that you often react poorly to people in your life who deal with anxiety. My prayer is that you are a little more informed about some struggle around you and that you realize we can change to be more loving and react wiser in the future.
We can change and should change because in seeking to lighten the heart load of the people around us, we are doing the work of Christ. We who want to be like Christ should be about lightening the heavy loads in the hearts of others. The whole time I was thinking and praying over Proverbs 12:25 another passage from the New Testament just kept coming up in my heart and I just kept putting it away, but I have to add it here as we close.
Lightening burdens is something Jesus wanted to do and did do for those around Him. We know this because Jesus Christ Himself said it in Matthew 11:
READ MATTHEW 11:28-30 (ESV)
“Come to Me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take My yoke upon you, and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For My yoke is easy, and My burden is light.”
When you and I seek to respond by listening first, encouraging, uplifting, reassuring, being hopeful, and every single time point someone to God, we are making the effort to make their heart glad and lighten their emotional burden.
The Apostle Peter wrote in the same way:
READ 1 PETER 5:7 (ESV)
“casting all your anxieties on Him, because He cares for you”
CONCLUSION
God does not call us to be foolish, but wise and to listen first.
God does not call us to be foolish, but encouraging with our words.
God does not call us to be foolish, but uplifting in our advice.
God does not call us to be foolish, but reassuring in our tone.
God does not call us to be foolish, but hopeful in our perspective.
God does not call us to be foolish, but wants us to point people to Him.
PRAYER
INVITATION
