“Anxious fear brings depression, but a life-giving word of encouragement can do wonders to restore joy to the heart.” (Proverbs 12: 25, the Passion Translation)

Let’s both give and receive that life-giving word of encouragement! Let’s be eager to help others wake to the hope and healing that the word of God can bring to us all. Let’s not commiserate with troubles or justify complaints and fears. Let’s instead do our best to restore joy to the hearts of others and to ourselves as well.

For this verse reminds us that joy is not a quality we don’t already have. Restoration isn’t receiving something out of reach or foreign to our nature or our circumstances. Joy is already ours. We can restore it, reclaim it, and help others to see it in themselves by our reassuring words.

And this life-giving encouragement truly comes from Life itself, from God. We aren’t giving others false hopes, or dreamy ideas. We are listening to, feeling, and sharing the Truth of Life—the goodness and joy and freedom that the world and the carnal mind would try to hide from us.

Anxiety and fear are not natural. They are not necessary. They need to and can be replaced, gently yet powerfully, by encouraging words—God’s grace embracing and uplifting all of us, showing us life as it really can be, as it really is.

Fresh inspiration every Tuesday and Thursday right here. If you’d like to receive more messages like these every week day by email, contact me at lauramoliter@gmail.com.  Just write “subscribe” in the subject line, and I’ll gladly add you to the list! Or click here: http://eepurl.com/cElsXE

Would you like to explore ideas like these further and really incorporate them into your life? I offer one-on-one discovery sessions, designed to bring clarity and invite more joy and power and purpose into your life TODAY. I’d love to talk with you! Feel free to contact me at lauramoliter@gmail.com and I can tell you more.