Shownotes
Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy
Welcome to Day 401 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me.
This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom
Good News Makes for Good Health – Proverbs [15:18]-33
Thank you for joining us for our 5 days per week wisdom and legacy building podcast. This is Day 401 of our trek, and today is Wisdom Wednesday. Every Wednesday along life’s trails, we dig for the nuggets of wisdom that are found within the book of Proverbs. Today we will explore the second half of Chapter 15.
We are broadcasting from our studio at The Big House in Marietta, Ohio. By the time this episode is released, we will be back in Charlotte, but I am recording a few days in advance so that when we travel to Arizona next week, I will have the days prepared ahead of time.
I have been able to get caught up with most of the client work and have been working on some of the longer term podcast related projects we have. We are making progress, but we are taking our time to learn, plan, and prepare to ensure everything is done as correctly as possible. I should be able to make some announcements on more definitive plans within the next couple of weeks. We depend on our years of experience and wisdom from God to guide us in the planning and execution.
As we relate back to the principles of planting and harvesting, the time we invest planting through learning and preparing gives us the harvest of both experience and wisdom. We are in continual learning mode with the study of the Book of Wisdom, which is Proverbs. On our trek for today, we will dig into the verses 18-33 of chapter 15. The title for today’s trek is taken from verse 30, and it is…
Good News Makes for Good Health
Let’s start in with verse 18.
18 A hot-tempered person starts fights;
a cool-tempered person stops them.
A person who chooses not to control their temper is one who is always looking for a fight with someone. More often than not, this person is really upset with himself, is very selfish, and does not love himself properly. Because of this lack of self-worth, this individual is always trying to prove himself by fighting with others. This could be physical or emotional abuse to others. In contrast to this is a person who chooses to keep his emotions under control because he is comfortable and confident with who he is and will do the opposite and stop fighting when it does occur.
19 A lazy person’s way is blocked with briers,
but the path of the upright is an open highway.
A person who lacks initiative and is generally lazy will not take the time to properly maintain his life so that he can be efficient and effective. This may result in a messy desk, messy home, or in our analogy from this verse, a trail that is blocked with the briers of life. This type of person seems to have more crises and drama in life because he does not tend to the minor issues. If you are effective and efficient with your life, then you take notice of and correct minor issues, such as the briers of life, before they grow out of hand. Because of this, your trails of life will be open so that you can make the progress needed.
20 Sensible children bring joy to their father;
foolish children despise their mother.
This verse is interesting from two aspects. Not to generalize the gender role, but I think it does play a part here. When a child is sensible, the father is joyful and will take credit for the child’s sensibility. On the other hand, when a child is foolish, the mother will usually take it much more personally and feel that the children despise her through their foolish actions. There should be a balance between the two, realizing that both the father and mother have some responsibility for training a child properly, but ultimately the child is responsible for the decisions that he or she makes.
21 Foolishness brings joy to those with no sense;
a sensible person stays on the right path.
Somehow in his or her perverted mind, a person who is foolish will take joy in his or her foolish actions. This is a clear indication that the person has no sense. In contrast, a person who is truly sensible will stay on the path that is right and their actions will be right.
22 Plans go wrong for lack of advice;
many advisers bring success.
This is such an important and crucial aspect in all areas of life. We all have the capacity to be so wrapped up with our own plans that we cannot see the forest for the trees. This is why it is wise to seek wise and Godly counsel in all major decisions in our lives. The concept of mastermind groups is built on this. Other people, outside of our immediate sphere of influence can bring much insight that will help us to succeed.
23 Everyone enjoys a fitting reply;
it is wonderful to say the right thing at the right time!
In a world of constant and immediate sound bites and news, it is so refreshing to be around a wise person who, when he or she does speak, has appropriate and timely advice. It is especially rewarding when you are able to speak only when it is needed and what is needed.
24 The path of life leads upward for the wise;
they leave the grave behind.
A wise person does what is good and godly in all areas of life, which brings everlasting life to his soul. This person is not plagued or scared of the grave because he knows his eternity is secure.
25 The Lord tears down the house of the proud,
but he protects the property of widows.
God will not allow the proud and arrogant person to continue on forever. The persons foolish decisions, based on pride will be his downfall. On the other hand, God will honor and protect the most vulnerable people, of which widows are one.
26 The Lord detests evil plans,
but he delights in pure words.
God is never pleased when we choose to go against His precepts and plan that which is not pleasing to Him. He will delight in us as we humbly follow His commands.
27 Greed brings grief to the whole family,
but those who hate bribes will live.
A family who is led by a person with a lack of integrity will all suffer because of the decisions that are made by those leading the family. In this case, it would indicate one whose integrity will change for self-benefit. If a family leader stands strong, with integrity, and does not bow to fleeting pleasures, the whole family will live at peace
28 The heart of the godly thinks carefully before speaking;
the mouth of the wicked overflows with evil words.
Once again Solomon is referencing our speech. A wise and godly person will think before opening his mouth to speak and will only speak if it is needed and helpful. An unwise and wicked person spews out verbal garbage most of the time. This person’s speech will overflow with evil.
29 The Lord is far from the wicked,
but he hears the prayers of the righteous.
If a person chooses to ignore God and his commands, then he cannot expect Him to be around when crises hit. The opposite of that is a person who comes to God for guidance and follows His Word. God will be there listening to their petitions
30 A cheerful look brings joy to the heart;
good news makes for good health.
It is a real joy to be around people who not only look cheerful but radiate cheerfulness in all that they do. A cheerful look coupled with good news truly is good for your health. Emotionally, physically, and spiritually, we will be strengthened through a cheerful person who brings us good news.
31 If you listen to constructive criticism,
you will be at home among the wise.
Criticism in not bad if it is constructive and given so that we can improve ourselves. Be willing to listen and learn from those who genuinely care for you and desire what is best for you. When you have this kind of attitude, you will grow wise and find yourself being at home with the wise.
32 If you reject discipline, you only harm yourself;
but if you listen to correction, you grow in understanding.
A person who is too foolish to be disciplined by another person is only harming himself and limiting his God-given potential. On the other hand, if you are willing to listen to correction and discipline, then you will grow in wisdom, insight, and understanding.
33 Fear of the Lord teaches wisdom;
humility precedes honor.
Respect and admiration for God Himself and who He is will bring wisdom into our lives and help us to grow wise. As we gain this good and godly wisdom, we need to remain humble and respectful.
Today’s trail was once again filled with so many nuggets of wisdom. If we can grasp how important this wisdom is to our emotional, physical, and spiritual health, and how keeping a good attitude contributes to that, we will have learned a great amount of wisdom. We were also reminded to hold our speaking until it is appropriate and of value. Let’s work at incorporating these wise principles into our lives.
Tomorrow we will have another short segment of Wisdom Unplugged where we will uncover an inspirational wisdom quote. So, encourage your friends and family to join us, and then come along with us tomorrow for another day of our Wisdom-Trek, Creating a Legacy.
That will finish our trek for today. As you enjoy your daily dose of wisdom, we ask you to help us grow Wisdom-Trek by sharing with your family and friends through email, Facebook, Twitter, or in person when you meet with them and invite them to come along with us each day.
If you would like to listen to any of the past daily treks, they are available at Wisdom-Trek.com. Don’t forget to subscribe to Wisdom-Trek, so each trek will be downloaded to you automatically. I would also appreciate it if you would rate and review us on iTunes or Google Play so that others will find out about Wisdom-Trek and join us.
Thank you for allowing me to be your guide, mentor, and most of all your friend as I serve you through the Wisdom-Trek podcast and journal.
As we take this trek together, let us always:
- Live Abundantly (Fully)
- Love Unconditionally
- Listen Intentionally
- Learn Continuously
- Lend to others Generously
- Lead with Integrity
- Leave a Living Legacy Each Day
This is Guthrie Chamberlain reminding you to Keep Moving Forward, Enjoy Your Journey, and Create a Great Day Every Day! See you on Monday!