Seven Steps to feeling better about life – Proverbs 3:1-7

Proverbs 3:1 My son, do not forget my teaching,  But let your heart keep my commandments (mitsvotai: practice commands); 2 For length of days and years of life  And peace (shalom) they will add to you. 3 Do not let kindness (chesed: steadfast love) and truth (emet: faithful action) leave you;  Bind (from qawshar: place in league with, tie into) them around your neck,  Write them on the tablet of your heart. (record or memorize them) 4 So you will find favor (chen: grace) and good repute (seckhel: insight and discernment) In the sight of God and man. 5 Trust (betach: be boldly confident) in the LORD with all your heart  And do not lean (shaw-an: place no weight on) on your own understanding. 6 In all your ways acknowledge (da-ehu: concern yourself with the view of) Him,  And He will make your paths straight (ya-yeshar: make smooth, confident and sure). 7 Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear (yiraw: reverence; turn to dependence upon)  the Lord and turn away from (v’sur: and turn or abolish) evil (v’ra’ah: calamity and evil). 8 It will be a healing (rif’ut) to your body, and refreshment (shikuoi: drink, quenching) to your bones.

We are continually told by psychologists and counselor to FEEL GOOD ABOUT OURSELVES is a secret to health. Yet, the Scripture give this counsel:

1. Know God’s Word and learn it well enough to trust it. (3:1)
2. Celebrate the fact that it brings settling within (3:2)
3. Practice it outwardly and believe it inwardly – memorizing its truth (3:3)
4. Let it bring peace to your heart and relationships (3:4)
5. Put all the weight on God’s Words (3:5)
6. Concern yourself with crediting Him for all progresses while moving forward (3:6)
7. Recognize the foolishness of arrogance and remove evil choices (3:7)