Once upon a time, there was a young man named John who struggled with anxiety. Every day, he felt like he was drowning in a sea of worry, and he couldn’t shake the feeling that everything was going to go wrong.
Kind Words
One day, while John was walking down the street, he bumped into an old friend he hadn’t seen in years. The friend looked at John with a smile and said, “Hey man, it’s good to see you! You look great!”
John was taken aback by his friend’s kindness. He hadn’t expected such a warm greeting, and it caught him off guard. But as he walked away, he realized that something had changed.
He felt a little lighter, a little happier. And the more he thought about it, the more he realized that his friend’s kind words had eased his anxiety, at least for a moment.
The Bible says in Proverbs 12:25, “Anxiety weighs down the heart, but a kind word cheers it up.” John had experienced this firsthand, and it gave him hope that he could conquer his anxiety one kind word at a time.
Positive Words
As it turns out, there’s a scientific basis for the power of kind words. Research has shown that positive words can activate the reward center of the brain and release feel-good chemicals like dopamine and serotonin.
When we hear kind words, our bodies and minds respond in a positive way, which can help ease anxiety and improve our overall well-being.
Which came first? Science or the Word of God.
Acts of Kindness
Of course, it’s not just kind words that can make a difference. Acts of kindness, like offering a helping hand or a listening ear, can also have a profound impact on our mental health. Galatians 6:9 says, “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.”
By consistently practicing acts of kindness, we can create a ripple effect of positivity that can ease anxiety and uplift those around us.
But what about those times when we don’t feel like being kind? When someone has wronged us or hurt us in some way, it can be difficult to extend grace and forgiveness. However, Ephesians 4:32 reminds us to “be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.”
When we choose to extend kindness and forgiveness, even in the face of hurt or injustice, we not only ease our own anxiety but also create a path toward healing and reconciliation.
Ease Anxiety
Finally, Romans 12:10 encourages us to “be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves.” This simple admonition reminds us that kindness begins with valuing and honoring the people around us. When we treat others with respect and dignity, we create a culture of kindness that can ease anxiety and foster deeper connections with those around us.
Conclusion
The power of kind words and acts of kindness cannot be overstated when it comes to easing anxiety. Whether we are struggling with anxiety or simply want to make the world a better place, the simple act of extending grace, compassion, and love can have a profound impact on ourselves and those around us.
So let’s choose to speak words of kindness, perform acts of kindness, and honor one another with our words and actions. Who knows? We may just change the world, one kind word at a time.
Using kind words starts with the words we use at home, and you can find a lot more kind words in the Bible; happy reading, and be kind! If you want to start living a Christian life, click here to read more.
