Welcome to another day the Lord has made that we should rejoice and be glad in. (Psalms 118:24)

Today let’s consider an encouraging word for anxiety.

Proverbs 12:25 (AMP) says…
Anxiety in a man’s heart weighs it down, But a good (encouraging) word makes it glad.

Consider…
There’s an old saying that, “Laughter is the best medicine.” According to Edith Lovett, a Pulaski County Extension Agent for Family and Consumer Sciences, “humor, and the subsequent laughter it produces, has many therapeutic effects on the body. Laughing is known to relieve stress, improve your mood, and emotional state. It also has many social and physical health benefits.

Laughter lowers the blood pressure, reduces pain, relaxes our muscles, and burns calories. Laughter enhances our mental health by improving our mood, relieves feelings of anger and frustration, and helps reduces tension. Laughter also increases our energy, inspires hope, and adds joy to our life.”

There are many articles that promote the medicinal benefits of laughter on the interweb. Funny thing is, they just scientifically prove today’s scripture.

When is the last time you enjoyed a good laugh? I mean a fall down, gut clinching laugh?😂😂😂

Laughter is infectious. By infectious, I don’t just mean others join in with laughter, I also mean, it starts in the brain and brings levity (lightness) to our bodies. It’s been proven that laughter improves emotional, mental and physical health.

Think about when you reminisce with loved ones, remembering someone who has died. One of the most common things that happens, is old funny stories are shared and heaviness of grief is lightened.

Have you ever heard this quote?
“Laugh – and the world laughs with you; cry – and you cry alone.” by Ella Wheeler Wilcox (November 5, 1850 – October 30, 1919).

Yeppers, laughter is preferable to be around. Misery may love company, but laughter lifts the spirit and lightens the atmosphere.

While “Laughter is the best medicine” is sound advice, it’s loosely based on what the Bible says. Notice today’s scripture says that a good (encouraging) word makes the heart glad.
Talk about comedic relief. I may not be funny, but I can be encouraging… and the same is true for you.

Therefore, when’s the last time you shared an encouraging word with someone else? When’s the last time you encouraged yourself.

Oxford Languages defines the verb encourage as give support, confidence, or hope to (someone).

Here are three quick scriptures that exhort us to encourage one another…

So encourage each other and build each other up, just as you are already doing. – 1 Thessalonians 5:11 NLT

We should think about each other to see how we can encourage each other to show love and do good works. We must not quit meeting together, as some are doing. No, we need to keep on encouraging each other. This becomes more and more important as you see the Day getting closer.- Hebrews 10:24‭-‬25 ERV

When you talk, don’t say anything bad. But say the good things that people need—whatever will help them grow stronger. Then what you say will be a blessing to those who hear you. – Ephesians 4:29 ERV

It’s quite evident that God wants us to build others up, and encourage them.

He also wants our speech to be laced with grace. He communicates that through the Apostle Paul in Colossians 4:6 (NASB1995)…
Let your speech always be with grace, as though seasoned with salt, so that you will know how you should respond to each person.

Quick reminder, salt was commonly used to preserve and heal in Bible days. That means, in the verse we just cited, God wants us to speak healing and preserving words.

So the next time you see an anxious person, speak a word of encouragement from the Lord. And, if that person is you, speak over yourself, encourage yourself in the Lord!

Today’s song is…
Encourage Yourself
https://youtu.be/JbEaftzaFWA?si=EBZ4EFG3v-bTPhLS

Blessings 4HG (1 Corinthians 10:31)