Proverbs 12:25 says:

“Anxiety in a man’s heart weighs it down, but a good word makes it glad.” (ESV)

The encouragement in this proverb is that God recognizes the burden of anxiety and highlights the healing power of encouragement.

A few key lessons:

• Anxiety is real. The proverb acknowledges that worry and fear can weigh heavily on the heart, affecting our emotional and spiritual well-being.
• Words matter. A kind, uplifting, or reassuring word can bring relief, hope, and renewed strength to someone who is struggling.
• We can be a blessing to others. The verse encourages us to speak thoughtfully and compassionately, knowing our words may help lift another person’s burden.
• God’s Word is the ultimate “good word.” For believers, Scripture provides comfort, reminding us of God’s presence, care, and faithfulness even during anxious times.

A simple devotional thought:

When anxiety presses down on your heart, do not carry the weight alone. Seek the encouragement found in God’s promises and in the caring words of fellow believers. Just as a good word can lift a heavy heart, God’s truth can replace fear with hope and peace.

A related verse is Philippians 4:6-7, which teaches believers to bring their anxieties to God in prayer and receive His peace.

Anxiety in a man’s heart weighs him down, but a good word makes him glad. (Proverbs 12:25 ESV)

Some verses are harder to write a lesson for than others and as I thought about this one I went to the Bible Gateway app, that I use whenever I work on a lesson, and entered “anx” in the search box and got anxious and anxiety in the drop down box. “Anxious” yielded 24 results and “anxiety” yielded 6 results in the ESV Bible translation. I found it interesting to read the verses that contained one of these two words.

For “anxiety” the verse that stood out was Paul saying, “apart from other things, there is the daily pressure on me of my anxiety for all the churches” (2 Corinthians 11:28). As I read that I wondered how many of us are anxious about our work of ministry and its effectiveness. Are we anxious about bearing fruit in ministry or are we anxious about things of the world?

Reviewing the verses for “anxious” I find verses that pertain to our work, the weather, our dreams, what we eat or drink or wear, what will happen tomorrow, what we are to say, getting things done, about the things of the Lord, and worldly things. The verse that stands out is “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.” (Philippians 4:6 ESV).

Every one of us understands the “weight” of anxiety” and knows the difficulty it adds to life. When I searched for “the health impact of anxiety”, I found at the top of the search results a summary statement as follows: “Dizziness and lightheadedness are potential symptoms of anxiety. Anxiety can have a significant effect on the body, and long-term anxiety increases the risk of developing chronic physical conditions. … The body responds, for example, by releasing adrenaline and cortisol, which many describe as stress hormones. July 18, 2018” Therefore, it would be wise for each of us to gain more experience with applying Philippians 4:6 to find peace as God works with us through the problem.

Just a short comment on “a good word makes him glad.” A verse that first comes to mind is Proverbs 18:21 ESV: “Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits.” It is an amazing thing the power a few words can have when spoken to a person. Words were spoken to me over 70 years ago that still surface at times in the form of emotional pain. There were also words spoken to me that resulted in me being directed to the gift of eternal life.

This was a different kind of lesson, and in a way fun to say something about a verse stating two obvious things that we all experience and understand; anxiety is a burden that is heavy and tiring to carry around and has absolutely no benefit; and a good word can build one up.

“Anxiety in a man’s heart weighs him down, but a good word makes him glad.” — Proverbs 12:25 (ESV)

1. What does Proverbs 12:25 teach about the effect of anxiety on the heart?
Answer: Proverbs describes anxiety as a weight that presses a person down. Worry may begin in the mind, but its effects can reach our emotions, attitudes, relationships, and actions. Anxiety focuses our attention on uncertainties, possible difficulties, and circumstances we cannot control. The verse recognizes this burden realistically rather than pretending that troubling circumstances do not exist. Scripture repeatedly directs believers to bring their concerns before God and trust His care rather than carrying those burdens alone. The contrast in this proverb reminds us that the troubled heart needs encouragement, truth, and hope.

2. What is the “good word” that makes a person glad?
Answer: A “good word” is timely, truthful, gracious encouragement spoken to someone who is burdened. It may be a reminder of God’s faithfulness, an expression of love, a word of appreciation, wise counsel, or simply reassurance that someone is not facing a difficulty alone. The power is not necessarily in saying something profound. Often, a simple word spoken with compassion at the right moment can change a person’s perspective. For the believer, the greatest encouragement ultimately comes from truths rooted in God’s Word—His presence, promises, faithfulness, mercy, and sovereign care.

3. Why are our words so important to people who are struggling?
Answer: Words can either add to another person’s burden or help lift it. Someone carrying anxiety may already feel discouraged, uncertain, or overwhelmed. Harsh criticism, careless comments, or dismissive responses can make that burden heavier. Compassionate words, however, can restore perspective and strengthen hope. Proverbs frequently emphasizes the tremendous influence of speech because words reveal the heart and affect the hearts of others. God can use something as ordinary as an encouraging conversation to strengthen someone who is struggling.

4. How can this verse change the way we respond when we recognize anxiety in another person?
Answer: Instead of merely noticing another person’s distress, Proverbs 12:25 encourages us to become a source of encouragement. We can listen carefully, respond compassionately, pray with the person, and offer words grounded in truth. This requires sensitivity because encouragement should not minimize genuine difficulties. The goal is not simply to tell someone to stop worrying, but to help bear the burden by reminding them of what remains true even in difficult circumstances. A thoughtful word can redirect attention from fear toward hope.

5. How can Proverbs 12:25 guide us when anxiety weighs down our own hearts?
Answer: The verse encourages us not to allow anxious thoughts to remain isolated within us. We can bring them honestly before God in prayer, turn to Scripture for truth, and receive encouragement from trustworthy believers. Anxiety often magnifies what might happen while faith remembers who God is. The “good word” we need may come through Scripture, prayer, another Christian, or the deliberate remembrance of God’s past faithfulness. The circumstances may not immediately change, but God’s truth can change how we carry them.

6. What responsibility does this proverb give believers toward one another?
Answer: Believers should become people who consistently speak “good words” into the lives of others. Encouragement is not merely pleasant conversation; it is part of caring for one another spiritually. We never fully know what burdens another person may be carrying. A sincere expression of appreciation, a reminder of God’s promises, or a few compassionate words may arrive precisely when someone needs them most. Proverbs 12:25 therefore challenges us to ask not only, “Who can encourage me?” but also, “Whose burden might God allow me to lighten with a good word today?”