wisdom

He who brings trouble on his family will inherit only wind, and the fool will be servant to the wise. Proverbs 11:29

One would think that shooting yourself in the foot would be something that most people would be against, but time after time, we see it in families and friends. Someone in the family will have self-destructive behavior that affects the entire family. Alcohol abuse comes to mind. Violent anger is another.

Almost without fail, you probably know someone in either of those two abusive situations. Pray for them. Pray for their families. And pray that the person who is abusive.

Whoever trusts in his riches will fall, but the righteous will thrive like a green leaf. Proverbs 11:28

Does the West trust its wealth to pull it through hard times such as a depression? Between that and its military might, the nation is indestructible…or so it seems.

In times past, when Israel had this same mindset, they were cut down to size.

If you live in the West, pray against the often subtle arrogance and conceit that people can have because they are powerful. Pray that the nations will humble themselves before God humbles them.

He who seeks good finds goodwill, but evil comes to him who searches for it. Proverbs 11:27

It’s the age-old question: are you a Pollyanna or an Eeyore? A Pollyanna is someone who certainly sees the “glass half full” in every situation. Your outlook is great and the sun is shining always.

eyore, on the other hand, is a doubter and a “gloomy Gus.” He doubts everything he does in every way. He is not a positive person. His glass is half empty only because he doesn’t deserve so much in his glass.

The middleground is where the “realist” fits in. Gloomy when needed and full of vigor as the situations warrant it.

Interestingly enough, Pollyannas need Eeyores, and Eeyores need Pollyannas. Both categories of people think of themselves as realists, but few really are.

Much of it has to do with how we actually view the glass. Same glass. Different perspective. Is one right and one wrong? No, not necessarily. But it’s often difficult to look beyond our own pespective.

He who seeks good finds goodwill, but evil comes to him who searches for it. Proverbs 11:27

Have you ever known anyone to search out evil? Many of us think the best of people and it’s difficult to imagine that there are people who actively seek to do evil.

Many of our Christian Brothers and Sisters in foreign lands see evil acts committed against them every day, and the world turns a blind eye towards it, often knowingly.

Pray for those undergoing this horrendous treatment. Pray that world leaders will open their eyes to the atrocities that are occurring right under their noses. And pray that those leaders who are perpetrating those acts are brought to swift justice.