READ: Proverbs 14:10, 14:13, 15:13, 30
One of the most
powerful aspects of Proverbs is that it clearly acknowledges the real stuff of life! Throughout the book, the
whole range of human emotions is noted and discussed. In fact, every type of
emotion is actually validated. Sometimes we view certain emotions as “bad” and
other ones as “good”. However, we see in Proverbs that we can expect to
experience every one. The key, of course, is what we do with them! Further, by
living a life of wisdom, we can decrease the chance of too many negative
experiences that lead to difficult emotions.
Without a doubt
we should seek to have the emotions that are more generally seen as positive,
as they lead to better fruit. For example, we can consider the words of
Proverbs 15:13, “a glad heart makes a cheerful face, but by sorrow of heart the
spirit is crushed.” Of course, a crushed spirit will not thrive in life, while
a cheerful face will face better prospects. It is on us then to monitor what’s going on in our hearts
and emotions and to regularly bring this to God. Through His mighty Hand and
spoken words, He can bring much healing. Listen to what Proverbs says, “a
cheerful look brings joy to the heart, and good news gives health to the bones”
(15:30). Brothers and sisters, God can give us this cheerful look and good
news! He can!
It is here we
must be careful about our expectations. While God can and does bring
restoration to our souls, therefore impacting our emotions, we still expect
some challenges and difficult emotions in life. Until Christ returns, there is
much that we will face. Or as Proverbs 14:13 puts it, “even in laughter the
heart may ache and the end of joy may be grief.” This isn’t pessimistic, but
realistic!
JOURNALING AND PRAYER
1.
What
difficult emotions have you been struggling with lately? Ask God to speak to
these. What are the roots? Does He have some good news for you?
2.
Praise
God that one day He’ll return and rid this world of all that causes us great
grief, pain and suffering. Read Revelation 21:4 and praise Him for what it
says!
