Anxiety Busters!

Read: Proverbs 12:25; Proverbs 15:23; Ephesians 4:29; Job 4:1-8; Genesis 40:14-15

Sometimes, as the old song sung by Simon and Garfunkel so aptly said, "Silence is Golden." However, that's not always the case. Sometimes, we simply need a few words. Not just any words, but helpful words. Two incidents from this week reminded me of how true that really is.

First, the phone call for information. I punched all the numbers that took me to the menu where I thought I might find answers to my question. They were unfortunately experiencing greater than normal call volume. My waiting time would be longer than expected. So, I thought, I'll put my waiting time to good use; so, I did some little chores.

In the background I heard about ten measures of a fairly dreary song with strange instruments. That was followed by the recording suggesting that I search a different menu for information which I did. Unfortunately, there was nothing there that was helpful; so, back to the music I went. My call was not said to be very important nor was I told what number I was in the queue. Was there even a queue? Was anyone really there getting ready to answer my question? Silence was not golden. It was annoying, and after about an hour, I stopped listening to the silence.

The second incident was much more important than my phone frustration. It occurred in the life of a friend, and it concerned a medical situation which involved one of her loved ones. She had questions, but the communication between those with answers and my friend was negligible. What was going on? How long had it been between the little she heard and the initial problem? Unanswered questions make for a long and wearying day. There was nothing golden about that silence either.

Words. The Bible speaks a great deal about our words, but for today, let's look at the beauty of helpful words. Words that can tamp down the weariness and anxiety that someone else is experiencing. The words that are spoken of in Proverbs 12:25. Words like the ones described in Proverbs 15:23 and Proverbs 25:11. These are not words that are like puffy clouds that look good but have no substance. They are not flattering words that in the end, offer no help. Instead, they are words that are helpful according to the situation and the need of the moment, Ephesians 4:29. They are Holy Spirit led nourishing words. There is much we can learn from two examples from the Bible concerning what not to do with our words, and when we know what isn't the best way, we can, with the Lord's enabling speak golden words, Proverbs 25:11.

In Genesis 40, we find ourselves right in the middle of Joseph's story. Joseph was in prison because of the malicious and lying words of his boss' wife who had accused him of having made improper advances. Then it happened. A bit of light at the end of the long tunnel. Joseph used his God-given gift of interpreting dreams to tell two other prisoners what was going to happen in their lives. Perhaps the time of his vindication was at hand. Joseph asked for only one kindness. He wanted the prisoner who had received the good news about his future to speak on his behalf, Genesis 40:14-15. After all, Joseph had done nothing wrong, and this man would be in the position to speak to Pharaoh to that effect. However, in Genesis 40:23, we read that after the king's servant was once again restored to his former position, he forgot Joseph. For two years. Can we imagine the joy the Pharaoh's official felt when he got out of that prison and was, once again restored to his former duties? Life went back to what it was before he landed in prison. Day after day passed, and while the king's official enjoyed his freedom, Joseph's hope probably drained away bit by bit.

How easy it is for us to forget to use our words in Spirit-led helpful ways because life is so pressing and daily, a kind and burden lifting word might go unspoken. Not because we don't care but because the thought can so easily drift away. A remedy for my own forgetfulness is to share the encouraging word that comes to mind, if possible, right when I think of it. Before it slips away. I am a work in progress in this area, but I have a patient God!

In Job 4:1-8, Eliphaz the Temanite gives us an example of another thing not to do. Lash someone who is already hurting with harsh cutting words. Job who had suffered economic hardship, the deaths of all his children and was enduring a painful disease had to also suffer the cruel words of Eliphaz and his other miserable comforters, Job 16:2. The words they spoke about God were not accurate, Job 42:7, and they didn't help their friend. Imagine how different it could have been if Job's friends had admitted that they didn't understand why Job was suffering so much pain. What if they had said less but had used the words they did say to speak about God's love according to what they did know about it. Instead, Eliphaz reminded Job that he had helped the weary by strengthening their hands; however, he then scolded him for being impatient as he dealt with his own suffering. Minimizing Job's pain rather than offering compassion.

When I think about compassion and kindness toward someone who is hurting, I think of plants when they aren't strong. We stake them up or attach them to a trellis. We offer protection from the harsh elements. Our aim is that they become fruitful and stronger. To that end, we don't pelt them with rocks.

No wonder the Bible challenges us with word pictures concerning our words:

They can be a fountain of life, Proverbs 10:11.

They can be like honey from the honeycomb, Proverbs 16:24.

They can lessen anxiety, Proverbs 12:25.

Timely communication, even if there isn't much we can say can be very helpful. Simply knowing that someone cares and the acknowledgment that we are being taken seriously is truly golden. Anxiety busters for sure. We have that with the Lord Who bends down to hear us, Psalm 116:2 and is close to those whose hearts are broken, Psalm 34:18. Talk about kind words. Throughout the scriptures, God tells us that we are loved, seen and heard, John 3:16; John 1:48; Psalm 77:1. He tells us we are known and thought about by Him, Luke 12:6-7; Psalm 139:17-18.

Lord, Help us to use our words as anxiety busters.