“Heaviness in the heart of man maketh it stoop: but a good word maketh it glad.”  (Proverbs 12:25)

Jesus, in discoursing with the disciples, spoke to them saying, “In the world ye shall have tribulation” (John 16:33).

The word “tribulation” in the Greek language is “thlipsis”; it means: pressure, anguish, burdened, trouble. Our text verse says “Heaviness in the heart of man maketh it (the heart) stoop.” The Hebrew word for “heaviness” is “deh-aw-gaw’,” and it means: anxiety, fear, or sorrow. The Hebrew word for “stoop” is “shaw-khaw’,” and it means: to depress.

The first thing that we must understand is that this is a heart issue. The word “heart” in the Hebrew language is “labe,” and its meaning is: used figuratively, and very widely, for the feelings, the will, and even the intellect. Therefore, we are dealing with the heart in this verse of Scripture as the mind, feelings, and will. So it is pressure, trouble, distress, and being burdened that causes the heart (or mind) to be stooped (or depressed).

“Keep (or guard, protect, maintain) thy heart (or mind) with all diligence (hedge about, take heed to self, guard); for out of it (going forth, outgoing, proceed) are the issues of life.”  (Proverbs 4:23)

Secondly, when our minds are being troubled and burdened with the pressures of life, when fear raises its ugly head, and sorrow springs forth as a wild vine – a good word maketh the heart glad.

“Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.”  (James 4:10)

“Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:6-7)

“Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.”  (Isaiah 26:3)

“Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.” (Proverbs 3:5-6)

We do not lean or rely on our own understanding when dealing with a spirit of depression, but we do acknowledge, or look to, God by making ourselves known to Him in the day of adversity or heaviness of heart (Proverbs 3:5-6).

To conclude, the spirit of depression or anxiety is not of God. We can have the victory over the spirit of depression.

When heaviness of the heart brings depression, look to the Good Word of God to bring you comfort, because it is a “good word” that maketh the heart glad. Pray, trust, and believe.