An anxious heart weighs a man down, but a kind word cheers him up (Proverbs 12:25).

The Dutch language has a number of one-word affirmations or encouragements -- summing up a whole category of thoughts in a single word that can be offered in times of need.  There's basic ones that are pretty similar to their English counterparts, like "gecondoleerd" ("condolences") or "gefeliciteerd" ("congratulations").  But there are also a number of sayings -- or, well, actually just words -- which cannot be as easily captured by the English translation.  Yes, "jammer" means kind of the same thing as "bummer" or "too bad," but not quite.  "Beterschap" basically means the same thing as "Get better" -- but somehow it seems to communicate more information in a smaller number of words (as crazy as that sounds!).  "Gezellig" is similar to "cozy" or "comfortable" -- but it actually encompasses a whole lot of different themes of home, happiness, and harmony in a single word that can be used not just as an adjective but also as an exclamation, which would allow you to walk into a cafe or a home or a party and just say the single word "Gezellig!" where you couldn't get away with a similar economy of language walking into a cafe or a home or a party and saying the English word "Comfortable!"

Of all of these types of exclamations or affirmations, however, two of my favorite one-word imperatives in the Dutch language are "Succes" and "Sterkte."  "Succes" could be directly translated as the English word "Success."  When spoken as an imperative, though, the meaning is closer to the English phrase "Good luck" -- except that, to me, it doesn't sound anywhere near as flippant as the "Good luck."  Instead, it sounds like a sincere wish for the other person's well-being, a hope and prayer for success that transcends the bland, vanilla wish for luck.  Perhaps I'm not doing the best job of explaining the significance of the Dutch word "succes," but suffice to say I think it's a much more meaningful way to send a friend off to his or her challenges.  Similarly, you can find a simple and literal translation for the Dutch word "sterkte" in the English word "strength."  But again, Dutch people say "Sterkte" more like a wish, a blessing, an encouragement.  It's like a small prayer.  It's a way of simply and efficiently affirming the fact that "I believe in you; I wish the best for you; I hope to see you again on the other side of the current or coming ordeal."

These little words of affirmation are a vital way for us to support one another and encourage one another.  I like how the Dutch expressions literally fit the Proverbs 12:25 description of "a (singular) kind word."  But of course, it's ultimately not about the economy of words.  It's really the thought that counts.  And when a person is going through a difficult time, for whatever reason, thoughtfulness really counts a lot more than we can often realize at the time.

We all have to deal with anxiety and fear and disappointment.  These emotions are a natural part of the human existence.  But they can feel so debilitating at times -- especially when we feel like we have to deal with it on our own.  That's why verbal affirmation can be so significant!  They communicate that others are with us, for us, thinking of us, and praying for us.  They cheer us up, even in the darkest of circumstances.  But at the time when a friend is going through difficulty, it can feel trite or ingenuine to say anything at all.  It can feel easier and preferable to just keep our mouths shut and go about our business -- letting the person in difficulty deal with things on his or her own.  But my own personal experiences -- and the wisdom of the Bible -- would seem to suggest that a kind word (and maybe it really is as simple as a one or two word phrase of care and concern) goes a long way towards helping to get a person feeling better about life.  It may not be easy, and we may not always feel like we know exactly what we should say.  But it's worth stumbling through the situation, in order to communicate.  "An anxious heart weighs a man down, but a kind word cheers him up."