Proverbs 12

“Anxiety in the heart of man causes depression, but a good word makes it glad. The righteous should choose his friends carefully, for the way of the wicked leads them astray.” Proverbs 12:25-26 (NKJV)

Anxiety and depression are very common in our culture.  Anxiety is a sense of unease or fear about an imminent event or something with an uncertain outcome.  If anxiety is prolonged, a loss of hope sets in and a sense of despondency or dejection presses down on a person’s psyche.  That is what psychologists call depression.  Long before Sigmund Freud, psychoanalysis, or modern psychiatric therapy, God had already identified the conditions of anxiety and depression, along with their cure: His Word and Bible-based community.  If there were ever a New Testament example of today’s proverb, it would be the apostle Paul’s prison letter to the church in Philippi.

“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ [Messiah] Jesus. Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things. The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you.” Philippians 4:6-9 (NKJV)

Paul followed today’s proverb, even down to his community of godly friendships.

“Therefore, my beloved and longed-for brethren, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, beloved. I implore Euodia and I implore Syntyche to be of the same mind in the Lord. And I urge you also, true companion, help these women who labored with me in the gospel, with Clement also, and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the Book of Life. Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice! Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand.”  Philippians 4:1-5 (NKJV)

By making God’s Word the compass that guides us all day, every day (Deuteronomy 6:6-7), we will know how to navigate life’s hardships.  And if we remain in Christian community, encouraging one another in our present circumstances, we will spur each other on, keeping our minds focused on the coming Kingdom.  It’s worth it!

“Only let your conduct be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of your affairs, that you stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel, and not in any way terrified by your adversaries, which is to them a proof of perdition, but to you of salvation, and that from God. For to you it has been granted on behalf of Christ, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake, having the same conflict which you saw in me and now hear is in me.” Philippians 1:27-30 (NKJV)