八分鐘能否改變一個人的生命？在人與人之間鮮少有真摯溝通的現代社會裡，美國作家詹西．鄧恩（Jancee Dunn）提出「八分鐘通話」的力量。她相信，如此簡短的通話時間，能幫助我們與家人和朋友保持聯繫。研究顯示，每週進行幾次簡短的通話能有助於減輕抑鬱、孤獨和焦慮。鄧恩也引用其他專家的研究，證實人際關係的小小改善，能大大地增進自己和他人的身心健康。

這個觀點正符合箴言12章25節說：「心中憂慮，使人消沉；一句良言使他歡喜」（新譯本）。這裡的「憂慮」是指，人們因擔心自己受到危害而產生的情緒反應。憂慮也可能源自對未來的恐懼和不安。對基督徒而言，向意志消沉的人分享聖經中一些安慰和鼓勵的話，可以幫助他們振奮起來，也讓他們得到真正的生命（28節）。而且，這些話語也能提醒他們要謹慎擇友（26節）。

讓我們向上帝禱告，求祂幫助我們知道哪些人可能需要一通八分鐘的電話，並用聖經的話鼓勵對方。儘管只有短短幾分鐘，但這個簡短的交流或許正是上帝所點著的火花，能為對方帶來光明，減輕重擔，並帶來盼望、安慰和醫治。

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.