“Anxiety in a person’s heart weighs it down, but a good word cheers it up. Proverbs 12:25
The words we speak are so important. Especially when dealing with someone who needs to heal still. When we are in the process of healing we are still filled with anxiety and stress, there is a lot there that hasn’t been lifted from us yet. People who have not healed from their traumas need a “good word” to cheer our hearts.
How do we know if our words are “good”? This can be a tough one - because there are plenty of good sounding things we can say, but in our ignorance can cause more harm. “It’s ok to not be okay” could help someone, but be a stumbling block to moving forward in healing for someone else. “There’s a purpose to everything” is true - but can still be like a stinging slap to some in certain grief seasons. One way I have found very helpful for me - and I have taught my kids this as well - is the “Think” acronym I found years ago. I wish I could remember where I saw it, and if I figure it out, I will give proper credit. Here is the acronym…
Is it…
True?
Helpful?
Inspiring?
Necessary?
Kind?
If what we are about to say - to a friend, a family member, an enemy, ourselves… - is not all of these things then we need to reevaluate. Should I say anything? Is there a better way to say what needs to be said? Stopping to T.H.I.N.K. before we speak can mean the difference between being the one who cheers a heart or the one who adds to the anxiety that weighs a heart down.
Let us stop to think, evaluate and decide if our words will truly be helpful. Let us not be more heaviness on an already anxious heart. Even when that heart is our own. Speak the truth in love always. The more we can speak truth in truly loving ways, the more love and truth we can bring out in others, and that will certainly make for some cheerful hearts. We know that God is love, and he says that the truth will set us free and we know that we are to emulate him - so begin with your words to yourself and spread that cheer to everyone around you too!