Christ-Based Connection

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Dexu Xia

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Nov 17, 2025, 10:33:48 PM11/17/25

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Anxiety weighs down the heart, but a kind word cheers it up. Proverbs 12:25

Today's Scripture Proverbs 12:21-28

Today's Insights

Although some sections of the book of Proverbs (such as chs. 3-5; 31:10-31) clearly go together, it’s most often the case that each proverb stands alone. We must slow down to read them. The verses contained in Proverbs 12:21-28 include eight seemingly unrelated sayings, yet there’s a common theme. Seven of these eight proverbs employ antithetical parallelism, where a truth is put forth and then contrasted with its opposite: the “righteous” contrasted with the “wicked” (v. 26), the “lazy” with the “diligent” (v. 27), “lying lips” versus “people who are trustworthy” (v. 22). The last verse of the chapter uses synonymous parallelism that builds on the stated truth: “In the way of righteousness there is life; along that path is immortality” (v. 28). As we read and meditate on these proverbs, their wisdom will build us up. We can ask God to show us who, in turn, might need to hear encouraging words from Scripture.

Today's Devotional Could eight minutes change someone’s life? In a world where meaningful connections can be rare, author Jancee Dunn proposes the power of an eight-minute phone call. She believes such brief calls can help us connect with family and friends. Studies show that such calls a few times a week help reduce depression, loneliness, and anxiety. And Dunn cites the research of other experts who affirm that minor relationship adjustments can profoundly affect our well-being and that of others.

This insight aligns with Proverbs 12:25, which states, “Anxiety weighs down the heart, but a kind word cheers it up.” In this verse, anxiety refers to a person’s emotional response to a threat to their well-being. Being anxious can also stem from fear and uncertainty about the future. For believers in Jesus, reassuring and encouraging words can help transform others’ anxiety into cheerfulness and lead to real life (v. 28). Those words can also provide signposts to help others “choose their friends carefully” (v. 26).

Let’s pray and ask God who might need an eight-minute call with encouraging words based in Scripture. Though brief, this simple act of connection might just be the spark He uses to lighten someone’s load, brighten their day, and offer them hope and healing.

Reflect & Pray

How can you share Scripture-based words of hope with others today? Why is it vital to share the hope of Christ with those who are anxious?

Dear Jesus, please help me speak words of kindness and hope to those who are anxious and lonely.

By Marvin Williams

以基督为中心的联系

“忧虑使人心忧愁，一句良言使人心欢喜。”（箴言 12:25）

今日经文：箴言 12章21-28节

今日洞见 虽然箴言书的部分章节（例如第3-5章；31:10-31）之间明显存在关联，但大多数情况下，每条箴言都是独立成篇的。我们需要放慢速度仔细阅读。箴言 12章21-28节包含了八条看似无关的箴言，但它们却蕴含着一个共同的主题。这八条箴言中有七条运用了对比平行结构，即先提出一个真理，然后将其与相反的真理进行对比：“义人”与“恶人”（26节），“懒惰人”与“勤奋人”（27节），“说谎的嘴”与“诚实的人”（22节）。本章最后一节运用了平行修辞手法，进一步阐述了上述真理：“在义路上有生命，在义道上有永生”（第28节）。当我们阅读并默想这些箴言时，其中的智慧会激励我们。我们可以祈求上帝指引我们，让我们知道谁需要聆听来自圣经的鼓励之语。

今日灵修：八分钟能否改变人生？在这个有意义的人际关系难得一见的时代，作家詹西·邓恩提出了八分钟电话的力量。她认为，这样简短的通话可以帮助我们与家人和朋友建立联系。研究表明，每周几次这样的通话有助于减轻抑郁、孤独和焦虑。邓恩还引用了其他专家的研究，他们证实，即使是微小的关系调整也能深刻地影响我们自身和他人的幸福。这一见解与箴言12:25相符，经文说：“忧虑使人心沉重，一句良言使人心欢喜。”在这节经文中，“焦虑”指的是一个人对自身福祉受到威胁时的情绪反应。焦虑也可能源于对未来的恐惧和不确定。对于信从耶稣的人来说，安慰和鼓励的话语可以帮助他人将焦虑转化为喜乐，并引领他们走向真正的生命（第28节）。这些话语也能为他人指明方向，帮助他们“谨慎择友”（第26节）。

让我们祷告，求神帮助那些可能需要八分钟电话，并听到基于圣经的鼓励话语的人。虽然短暂，但这简单的沟通或许正是神用来减轻他人负担、点亮他们一天、并给予他们希望和医治的火花。

反思与祷告今天，你如何与他人分享基于圣经的希望之语？为什么与焦虑的人分享基督的希望至关重要？

亲爱的耶稣，请帮助我向那些焦虑和孤独的人说出充满善意和希望的话语。