31 Proverbs Highlights: #24-Enough with the Agitation

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(A simple series highlighting verses from each chapter of the book of Proverbs)

Don’t be agitated by evildoers, and don’t envy the wicked. (‭Proverbs‬ ‭24‬:‭19‬ HCSB)

Social Media is full of agitation. I get agitated by all the agitation, you know what I mean?

So why do we allow ourselves to get so agitated? Yes, people do crazy things. Yes, we don’t understand how people get by with their actions. Yes, we will never agree totally with others. But must we live in such an agitated state?

Is it possible we’ve gotten so agitated by what we see in others because we’ve forgotten the evil that resides in our own hearts? We’ve gotten so used to excusing the person in the mirror that actually given enough power and freedom is capable of just as much wickedness.

This proverb reminds me to look at my own heart. See myself as God sees me. Worry about my own evil and wickedness rather than focus on someone else’s. Resist the agitation of pointing out the sins of others and let God deal with them. Enough with the agitation.

Good Crying

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Crying. When you think of that action, most likely you think of something bad or sad happening. It ain’t good if you’re crying.

During a segment on 60 Minutes tonight, a NASA engineer described going home the night after a stressful but successful project of landing Curiosity, a car-sized robotic rover exploring Gale Crater on Mars. He said, “I crawled into bed with my wife and wept.” He didn’t sound sad at all. He sounded joyfully spent, exhaustedly happy. 

Have you ever experienced that kind of crying? You might call it having a good cry. I’ve had some. One that particularly comes to mind was at the end of my last marathon in 2012. I tried to control it, but there was no controlling it. I was joyfully spent, exhaustedly happy.

What are you working on that you are so committed to that when it’s over you could have a good cry? What life mission are you following that makes you have a good cry occasionally? When was your last good cry?

Go after being joyfully spent. Go after good crying.

31 Proverbs Highlights: #23-Heart Envy

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(A simple series highlighting verses from each chapter of the book of Proverbs) 

Don’t let your heart envy sinners; instead, always fear the Lord. Proverbs 23:17 HCSB

What might heart envy look like?

So my boss has gotten to his position by running all over others. Looks like success. Maybe…

So my neighbors live so carefree and just seem to have everything they want. Of course, they have crazy amount of debt and fight constantly about money. But…

These guys at the gym are always talking about how much fun they have after they leave the gym. They invite me to come along all the time. I doubt my wife would like these guys, but…

Awe of God will give you the right perspective of success, finances, and fun. Guard your heart. Resist its envy.

The Phenomenon (Book Recommendation)

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You don’t have to be a Cardinals fan, not even a baseball fan, to enjoy this book. Here are 5 reasons why:

  1. It’s a true story about overcoming obstacles in life
  2. It’s a look at the professional athlete’s world that feels like any other person’s world
  3. It’s a story of perseverance
  4. It’s written well, written to keep your attention, and written emotionally honestly
  5. It contains life lessons for all of us, whether we are the struggler or the one walking with the struggler

“If a tire goes flat, does the reason matter?” @TheeRickAnkiel #thephenomenon

Here’s some people who should read this book:

  • Those directly impacted by anxiety disorders
  • Those working with young adults with high potential
  • Those coaching clients through life-altering seasons and incidents
  • Those addressing family-orientation obstacles
  • Those who are trying to answer the question, “What are you going to do?”

“All I had to do was look up. All I had to do was stop the fear from rising.” @TheeRickAnkiel #thephenomenon

31 Proverbs Highlights: #22-Endless Honor and Respect

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(A simple series highlighting verses from each chapter of the book of Proverbs) 

The rich and the poor have this in common: the Lord made them both… Drive out a mocker, and conflict goes too; then quarreling and dishonor will cease. Proverbs 22:2,10 HCSB

Besides the rich and the poor both being made by God, here are some other “couples”:

  • Educated and Uneducated 
  • Healthy and Unhealthy
  • Old and Young
  • Country and City 
  • Married and Single
  • Churchgoer and Never been before 
  • North American and Arab American
  • Artists and Athletes 
  • Conservatives and Liberals
  • Those who live in Florida and Those who visit Florida

This list is endless. What shouldn’t be endless is any mocking between these God-created couples. 

Endless Honor and Respect is what God-created couples should embrace.

31 Proverbs Highlights: #21-Your Best Counsel

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(A simple series highlighting verses from each chapter of the book of Proverbs)

The one who pursues righteousness and faithful love will find life, righteousness, and honor…No wisdom, no understanding, and no counsel will prevail against the Lord. (‭Proverbs‬ ‭21‬:‭21‬,30 HCSB)

Some spiritual choices in life make no sense to nonspiritual minds. And why should they? For that matter, some spiritual-minded people often question the choices of other people of same mind. According to these verses, why should they?

For example, not all spiritual-minded people are in ideal marital relationships. They receive counsel from various sources of what they should do. It seems that no matter the choices of these people, they will no doubt receive pushback from others. What should they do?

If you find yourself in such a situation, whether it’s related to your career, a relationship, your finances, your health, or even where you should align yourself in a local church body, take heart in these truths from these verses:

  • Your utmost pursuit in life is righteousness and faithful love.
  • Human insight is finite; it cannot supersede the peace that comes from the wisdom and counsel of God.

Seek counsel from others, yes. But you are not a slave to them. Their counsel doesn’t outrank God’s. Your best counsel comes from him. And why shouldn’t it?

31 Proverbs Highlights: #20-Honorable Men

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(A simple series highlighting verses from each chapter of the book of Proverbs)

It is honorable for a man to resolve a dispute, but any fool can get himself into a quarrel…Many a man proclaims his own loyalty, but who can find a trustworthy man? (‭Proverbs‬ ‭20‬:‭3‬,6 HCSB)

“A good man is hard to find.” How many times have you heard that statement? (Let’s not get into where and by whom)

“An honorable man is hard to find.” I can’t say I’ve ever heard that one. Can you?

Maybe we should have. Or maybe we should be asking it.

These two verses start the list of what makes a man honorable:

  • He works to resolve a dispute rather than pick a fight.
  • He doesn’t always have to get his way.
  • He doesn’t look for an argument just to get into one.
  • He doesn’t have to proclaim his loyalty.
  • He proves his trustworthiness over and over again not out of necessity but by nature of his character.

What else makes a man honorable? Leave a comment if you have an answer.

31 Proverbs Highlights: #19-Money Sense

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(A simple series highlighting verses from each chapter of the book of Proverbs)

The one who acquires good sense loves himself; one who safeguards understanding finds success…Kindness to the poor is a loan to the Lord, and He will give a reward to the lender. (‭Proverbs‬ ‭19‬:‭8‬,17 HCSB)

Success is grounded in common sense and pursuing understanding.

According to verse 17, success in handling money is grounded in the common sense that the poor will always be with us, and in the understanding that our money isn’t really ours but God’s and that sharing our resources with the poor isn’t unnoticed by him. 

We give to the poor not in order to receive a reward but in order to practice good money sense and to follow the desires of the true owner of everything.

Be You

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There’s only one you. Be you.

God created one you. Be you.

God knows you because he created you. Be you.

God knows you better than you know you. Be you.

God doesn’t need you to be like someone else. Be you.

God didn’t create you to be like someone else. Be you.

God created you exactly the way you are. Be you.

God created you exactly how he wanted you. Be you.

God loves you as you are. Be you.

God knows your flaws. Be you.

God wants to share life with you. Be you.

God will never reject you. Be you.

God wants the best for you. Be you.

God wants more for you than you can comprehend. Be you.

God watches your every move. Be you.

God celebrates your wins. Be you.

God mourns your losses. Be you.

God offers you freedom. Be you.

God has mercy for your mistakes. Be you.

God has grace for your oddities. Be you.

God will take you back. Be you.

God desires to give you your heart’s desires. Be you.

God enjoys the one and only you. Be you.

31 Proverbs Highlights: #18-Where to Run

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(A simple series highlighting verses from each chapter of the book of Proverbs) 

One who isolates himself pursues selfish desires; he rebels against all sound judgment…The name of Yahweh is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are protected. Proverbs 18:1,10 HCSB

These two verses are a study in opposites. 

The Isolater 

  • Runs toward his desires, potentially away from better choices 
  • Runs away from wisdom rather than toward surrender

The Righteous 

  • Runs toward God first and always
  • Runs toward strength and protection rather than selfishness and rebellion