THINK TOGETHER.
Do you ever feel anxious?
READ TOGETHER
Proverbs 12:25. Anxiety in a man’s heart weighs him down, but a good word makes him glad.
Sometimes I feel anxious. Sometimes I feel very anxious. Anxiety is a big problem for many people. Maybe you have felt anxious (worried, stressed, fearful) about something in your life.
The Bible teaches us that we will never be fully free from some level of anxiety. If we love or care for anything or anyone we will have some anxiety because we will always worry, at least a little bit, about that person or thing that we love. And that’s normal.
Solomon says that the problem is when our anxiety weighs us down. Have you ever had to carry something heavy over a long distance? Maybe a backpack or stack of something. When things get too heavy we will do anything to get rid of them. When things make us too anxious or worried, we will do anything to get rid of that bad feeling. We might even go against what God says. For example: If school is making you anxious, you might cheat on the quiz. Or if learning piano makes you anxious, you might lie and say you practiced when you didn’t.
There’s a far better way to help with your anxiety – listen to a good word. Solomon says that we can overcome our worries, fears, and anxiety by listening to encouragement. Do you have someone who encourages you? Do you encourage others? Do you say good things to people in order to help them not be afraid?
A good word is supportive. A good word is full of grace and kindness. A good word points to Jesus! Thinking about Jesus and his never ending love for us is the best way to move from fear to faith, from anxiety to gladness.
Because of Jesus we never have to let anxiety weigh us down.
With Jesus we can say encouraging things to ourselves and others.
DO SOMETHING TOGETHER
As a family keep a Gladness Journal. Once a week have everyone share something that made them glad or happy. Read over the list often, especially during stressful times.
PRAY TOGETHER
Jesus, you make my heart glad. Help me to point others to you, especially when they are worried or afraid. Amen.
TLICfamily 