Proverbs 12:25 Heaviness in the heart of man maketh it stoop: but a good word maketh it glad.
A familiar experience happens when the right word spoken the right way at the right time lifts the spirit of a heavy heart. “A good word makes the heart glad.” Some people have the gift of encouragement; they are able to offer comfort when needed. This “good word” usually comes from the Holy Spirit within rather than from the natural talent of human flesh. The Lord will use us to speak a word of blessing and encouragement to others when they are down. And He uses others to speak a good word to us when we need it. This is called “the mutual conversation and consolation of the brethren.”
A good word more broadly also means The Gospel. When the gospel is preached, taught, read, spoken, discussed or shared, it is the good word that makes the heart glad. For this reason, it is needful and helpful to go to church, attend Bible study, be in the Word, and enjoy fellowship with other Christians. Why do we feel better afterward? It is because of the Gospel (a good word). Every time we leave the Divine Service our spirits are lifted because we heard the Gospel. We are glad, for The Good Word cheered us up. The gospel is the power of God.
Too often we have seen and felt the heaviness of the heart that makes it stoop. We have the Spirit in us to speak a word of gospel to self and others. There are many ways to say, “Jesus loves you.”