“Anxiety in the heart of man causes depression, but a good word makes it glad” (Proverbs 12:25).
Few words can make a stronger case for believing and obeying the good news/word of the gospel than “anxiety” and “depression” can. Stress. Trauma. Fear. Guilt. Grief. Remorse. Worry. Anger. Illness. Each can be daunting. Working in combination with each other, they can concoct a tsunami which overwhelms and leaves constant anxiety and/or deep crater of depression in its wake.
The Bible uses one word to categorize all the root causes of anxiety and depression: SIN. As you read Romans 1:18-32, you discover the putridness that human unrighteousness and ungodliness result in. It is a black and horrific picture. Nothing here is sugarcoated or whitewashed: Suppression of truth always leads to folly and idolatry, which quickly devolves into spiritual uncleanness, vile passions, and debased thinking.
The reason why Paul wrote so graphically and extensively about this ghastly pit of sin is because this is precisely what the good news/word of the gospel rescues you from. It is the divine remedy to all of humanity’s unrighteousness and ungodliness. The good word which can make your heart glad is: The gospel is the power of God for salvation for everyone who believes it and lives by faith in it (Rom. 1:16-17).
The gospel—the good news/word of spiritual victory found in Jesus Christ, the Son of God—is the only enduring cure for anxiety and depression.
