Real Pieces of Wisdom

The morning started off a little sweeter than the others.  I made my favorite coffee with two tablespoons of raw honey and a splash of milk.  Cooked up some farm fresh eggs from our chickens and paired that with two potato pancakes.  I took my yummy brunch to the kitchen table and began to journal and read the living word of God; now that's what I call a GOOD morning.  The family had left to run errands so it was just me with my breakfast and God.  It's times like these that I rest, enjoy and savor.  As I begin reading and writing I quickly forget the busy world around me and sink into the arms of my heavenly father, my savior.

When I read the Bible I generally read a chapter or two a day moving through the books of the Bible in Old and New Testament order but this morning I felt like randomly opening the Bible and seeing what the Lord had for me there.  I opened up to Proverbs 16 and was reminded of all the Godly pieces of wisdom.  I was able to dwell on my experiences as I read certain proverbs and I'd love to share some of the advice that stood out to me.

All hard work brings a profit, but mere talk leads only to poverty. 14:23

This verse reminded me of the hope I am to have when doing work the Lord has called me too.  It is easy for me to become overwhelmed with circumstance and to forget that God sees the whole picture.  It is easy for me to focus on a detail and forget that God what God wants me to accomplish.  I need to remember to have hope for the work God is calling me to do.  After reading this verse I was reminded that the hard work we do for God will end in profit, even though it might not be in this lifetime.

A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.

15:1

Once again I am reminded how important our communication with others is to God.  He wants us to be wise in how we respond to others.  Often times I speak on behalf of emotion, (and sometimes this is a good thing because it shows my passion) but I need to remember to seek God's provision over my conversations to make sure I am speaking how Jesus would speak.  Maybe you can relate to me on this?  We have all had those conversations that have taken us off-guard.  Maybe it was with a close friend who was going through a hard time.  Maybe it was with a parent who was angry about leaving the house a mess.  I've realized that when people are very angry, it is often a personal problem such as a bad day, a growing spirit of bitterness, or stress the person is undergoing.  It is important to remember that responding with a harsh word will only stir up more anger.  If we are to be wise people, we will respond with gentleness and self control.

Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed.

15:22

Sometimes it feels awkward to accept advice or council from others, but the Bible says that the successful people will have many advisers.  This is something that I have to remind myself of daily.  I have gained so much help and motivation every time I have sought out council.  I also have to remind myself who I ask council from.  If I turn to a nonbeliever and ask them for relationship help with my boyfriend, I probably won't get a wise response.  But if I turn to many woman who have been married and who love Jesus I can weigh their advice and give it to Jesus and end up in a better spot than I was before.

Proverbs is one of my favorite books of the Bible because I always learn so many practical pieces of advice.  I challenge you to read through Proverbs this month with me and dwell on the verses that you feel you need to work on.  Who knows, God might do some amazing things with your life this month by just changing a few things :D