Proverbs 12:25
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Heaviness in the heart of man maketh it stoop: but a good word maketh it glad.
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Your mouth can do more than swallow food. It can also cheer up a heavy heart. But you must learn kind, complimentary, encouraging, and faithful words to do so. How is it, reader? Are you able to spot a heavy heart, a stooped heart? And do you know what good and gladdening words it needs? Do you use good words to comfort and encourage many?
Most men are too selfish and preoccupied with their own lives to notice others or their problems, and most do not have the affection or concern for others to say or write something kind and helpful. They are wrapped up in their own thoughts, and it does not cross their minds to serve others. The rest are simply too fearful and unlearned in the art.
This text does not justify heavy hearts: saints should be the most contented and joyful people on earth (Ps 4:7; 63:5; 92:4; I Pet 1:8). Though great men are cast down at times, they do not allow such feelings to overwhelm them (Ps 42:1-11; II Cor 4:8-10). An unruled melancholy spirit is a curse, a tool of the devil, and the means of self-destruction.
But if we consider those rightly cast down, we have an object of pity deserving our attention and affection. A heavy heart carries weighty burdens that make it stoop with the heavy load; it is a soul pressed down by the cares, circumstances, and troubles of life. King Lemuel's mother recommended wine as a possible cure for this infirmity (31:6)!
It is cruel to dance around those cast down. It is like taking away a coat in cold weather (25:20). This cheap affection does more harm than good. "Cheer up, my brother, live in the sunshine," are good words and work sometimes; but men with real burdens and an oppressed spirit need to hear more (14:10; 15:13; 17:22; 18:14). It is better, according to Paul's wisdom, that we weep with them that weep, not dance (Rom 12:15; I Cor 12:26).
Telling another person they look poorly is a gift of sadistic monsters. The cruelty sounds like this: "You look horrible this morning, do you have clinical dysentery? I read that it infected many this past week. My mother in law was a mess! How are you coping?" Not a bull in a china shop, this person is a pit bull in a nursery. For the real problem was an angry and bitter spouse that had temporarily broken the heart of their tender soul.
A whole book of the Bible describes Job's three self-righteous friends, who did not have a single good word to gladden his heavily weighed down heart. Instead of good words to comfort and strengthen him, they joined together in accusing him of great hypocrisy and secret sins. No wonder he called them miserable comforters. No wonder God would not forgive them, unless Job himself would pray for them. But others often follow their lead and blame evil circumstances on God's judgment, when it may be an affectionate trial.
When was the last time you complimented someone directly and sincerely? How often do you do it in a day? A good and kind thought about another not expressed ... is worthless! If you have a good thought about someone, tell them! How much better would the world be if we complimented those deserving it. How much would the righteous be encouraged in righteousness? Your word may lift the heart of the weary when they need it (Is 50:4).
We are to bear one another's burdens and so fulfill the law of Christ (Gal 6:2). And this work that falls upon every true saint includes comforting the feebleminded, which may be the result of a heavy heart (Ps 38:1-22; I Thess 5:14). If you are strong in the Lord, it is your duty to look for those who are weak and help them (Rom 15:1-3).
Life and death are in the power of the tongue, and godly saints use it for health and life (12:18; 15:23; 16:24; 18:21; 27:9). Only a pinch of salt - criticism and rebuke - should flavor a wise man's gracious words (Eph 4:29; Col 4:6). The goal is to edify, or build up, one another, as Jonathan built up David, when he was hiding in the woods (I Sam 23:16).
Angels comforted and strengthened our Lord Jesus several times, especially when His spirit was greatly troubled in Gethsemane (Mark 14:33-34); and He sends His Spirit to comfort us, when we humble ourselves before Him and cry for help. Let us follow His holy example and use the good words of His good Word to make sad hearts glad!
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