Proverbs 12:25 tells us, “Anxiety in a man’s heart weighs him down, but a good word makes him glad.” Intense anxiety can weigh down the heart. It can lead to spiritual depression and psychological depression. Thankfully, God has prescribed a cure for a heavy heart. While anxious thoughts weigh down the heart, encouraging words cheer up the heart — especially the Word of God! We can confront anxious thoughts with God’s inspired promises, with his prophetic word, and prayer. Certainly there are times when the need for professional counseling and care is welcome and essential, but all of Jesus’ followers—professional counselors or not—can use timely, encouraging words and God’s Word to encourage one another and battle anxiety in their own hearts.