Introduction: Do you ever get discouraged? Life has a way of handing us lemons…. But you know what is next…
Make lemonade. Discouragement, disappointments, and even depression can set us back. Solomon writes about both the causes of discouragement and the cure of encouragement.

1. What causes DISCOURAGEMENT?

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

“Heaviness” – Interesting to note, the word “heaviness” is דְּאָגָה (deh-aw-gaw’), which means anxiety, anxious care.

Wow! Anxiety will get you down. Literally. Physically. Mentally…. and sometimes Spiritually. Would you agree, it appears our heart constantly fights worry and care? If it is not one thing, it is another!

2. What are the Cures for DISCOURAGEMENT?

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

I love the words of our Lord. Jesus gives His disciples, as well as us today, some insight and wisdom to overcoming care and anxiety. Listen to His words:

“Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment? 26Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they? 27Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature? 28And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin: 29And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. 30Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and to morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith? 31Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? 32(For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. 33But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. 34Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.” (Matt 6:25-34)

Speaking of “worry” and “care,” Peter writes the following, “7Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you,” (1Pet 5:7).

The word “care” is μέριμνα,(mer’-im-nah), which means care, worry, anxiety.

3. How can you Help lift the load of “CARE” and DISCOURAGEMENT someone is carrying today?

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

The word “stoop” can be translated depression. It is the Hebrew word : שָׁחָה,(shaw-khaw’), which means to bow down.

The word “good” is טוֹב, which means pleasant, agreeable, good.

Conclusion: Will you purpose in your heart right now to speak a “good word”? It can lift a load off of someone right now who is facing DISCOURAGEMENT. Ultimately, God will get the glory!