These Proverbs have so many things to learn. I am just going to take a few verses at a time for the rest of this chapter. Please take the time to soak up some Son this morning!
vs 16--I want to discuss the second half of this verse first. The 'violent' man in this passage is a man that is strong and ruthless. Picture say--Donald Trump. We have to ACTIVELY pursue being kind and gracious...and when we do....we will obtain honor.
vs 17--Think of the last time that you said something mean or did something mean to someone. Perhaps even to your own spouse or child this morning? So, what did that do for you? I know that for me--it just eats me up on the inside. My stomach churns; my mind gets all in a tither. If I would have just handled the situation kindly and with mercy (even to the point of saying Sorry even when we don't feel that we need to! Yikes!) then it is better for all involved--including myself.
vs 18--We have visited this thought several times; and my mind always jumps right to Romans 6:23. Look it up if you need to! What are some ways that you can sow righteousness right where you are in your life today?
vs 19--in verse 18 I asked how you might sow righteousness today. This verse is about being steadfast. The Bible never promises that our life will be easy. But if we actively work hard then the payoff is beyond our human imagination!
"Actively pursue being gracious and kind." I struggle every single day with this. Mostly with my husband. My reactions to some of his words are not always kind. Oh, they aren't meant in anger or meanness, but my immediate response is one of defensiveness, not kindness or graciousness. I was very unhappy with myself just yesterday for one of my responses.
ReplyDeleteSo, I need to sow righteousness in my own home today. Bleh.
I think this is easier as I get older. I am not sure if I am just getting weary or wiser????
ReplyDeleteHaha! Cyndi, maybe we just mellow out a little, and learn to choose our battles? LOL
ReplyDeleteTonya, thanks for a good post. I needed to be reminded to sow righteousness. We have to cast our "bread" and not stones, right? God is so gracious; His mercy amazes me. He still will forgive me when something snippy pops out, instead of something kind. That is something I must work on...
I was almost going to put in the post that I am getting much better about this too--but then I realized for me that divorce was a wake up call.
ReplyDeleteBut I still get defensive on the INSIDE and then it eats at me anyway.
When I was younger my Sins of Life where so clouding my eyes and as I got older and my eyes became clearer I find it easier to be kinder and more given and loving.
ReplyDeleteWell, I'm no spring chicken, so I'm wondering how old do you have to be?? LOL
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