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I struggled with the title of this day's post. I wanted each of the words to start with the same letter; but when I got to emotions, I drew a blank. Character fit both virtue and emotion; conscience was another option but I just couldn't wrap my mind around it. So Check Engine Light it is! Emotions really do serve as our check engine light--if we are sad, that emotion is pointing us to look for a reason and a solution. If we are jealous, happy, anxious, depressed, angry, joyful...there's a reason. Proverbs 10-30 addresses our emotions a little over 50 times. Emotions are natural responses to the world around us; they are indifferent morally. But if we find ourselves at a crossroads--where both Lady Wisdom and Lady Folly beckon us to follow--we often will find ourselves making poor choices if we LEAD with emotion. Lady Folly wants us to just go with what feels right and looks right in our own eyes. Lady Wisdom wants us to take those emotions and live wisely God's way.
We will start with one of the most damaging emotions--anger. "A man of wrath stirs up strife, and one given to anger causes much transgression." Pr 29:22 Lady Folly would have you believe that the only path is unrighteous anger, the kind that stirs up fights between humans--image bearers. Unrighteous anger dishonors the God who made us all. But Lady Wisdom points to a better way. She teaches us to only be angry over sin, injustice, or abuse towards God or His image bearers. (partial quote from Elizabeth Woodson). Jesus displayed righteous anger when He cleared the temple because the religious leaders were abusing God and His people. We see the different paths so clearly in Pr 12:16--immediately annoyed vs. overlook the insult. Pr 14:16--reckless and careless vs. cautious and turns away from evil. Pr 15:18--stirs up strife vs quiets contention. Pr 29:8--set a city aflame vs. turn away wrath. Pr 29:11--gives full vent to his spirit vs. quietly holds it back. I think we know which Lady is in charge of which reaction. "Whoever is slow to anger has great understanding, but he who has a hasty temper exalts folly." Pr 14:29. If we find that we are not the angry person but are dealing with an angry person, that does not give us free reign. Pr 15:1 "A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger."
James could be considered the "wisdom textbook" of the New Testament. He starts his letter with "If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God..." James 1:5 Then in James 1:19 he writes (carried along by the Holy Spirit) "Know this, my beloved brothers; let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God. Therefore put away all filthiness and rampant wickedness and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls."
The next emotion is anxiety. {I would like to repeat what Elizabeth Woodson says about anxiety. God has offered a common grace in the form of medical intervention. Never be afraid to seek help--through a trusted friend, pastor, doctor, or medicine. There is no shame in that.} Anxiety can consume your life. But, surprisingly, Proverbs has very little to say about worry and anxiety. Pr 3:5-6; Pr 11:28; Pr 12:25 Pr 16:20; Pr 28:26; Pr 29:25. The root emotion of worry and anxiety is found in that last verse--fear of man. Let me give you an example--I went through a terrible time of anxiety a little over 15 years ago. I was in so much anguish over my health (which was actually fine) and the health of my children (also fine). I spent many HOURS crying over the possibility that any of us would die. Mike asked me one night--"Do you think you can do a better job protecting them that God?" My answer? "Yes." There was my problem. I had a fear of man--the wages of sin being death--coupled with a lack of trust in God. A perfect storm for anxiety. I still struggle with it. But I have to mold my thoughts to Lady Wisdom's path, to take every thought captive to obey Christ. 2 Corinthians 10:5 (The medicine helped clear my mind to be able to do that. 💓 Thank you, God, for modern medicine.)
We will end on a happy emotion--JOY!!! Joy brightens our outlook and just generally makes us feel better. (Pr 15:30) A joyful heart is good medicine (Pr 17:22) "When the righteous prosper, the city rejoices!" (Pr 11:10) "Those who plan peace have joy!" (Pr 12:20) "When justice is done, it is a joy to the righteous!" (Pr 21:15) "The father of righteous will greatly rejoice!" (Pr 23:24) Those committed to right living, led by the Holy Spirit, bring holy prosperity, shouts of joy, justice, peace, and influence to those around them, and to the next generations. Pr 15:15 says "All the days of the afflicted are evil, but the cheerful of heart has a continual feast." I'm here for a continual feast. 😁😍
My Bible study motto is "First in your mind, first in your heart, first out of your mouth." I think we've filled our minds with a lot of information on wisdom--teaching, knowledge, counsel, reproof, understanding. Our emotions show if what's in our mind has made it to a heart-level commitment. Pr 14:33 "Wisdom rests in the heart of a man of understanding, but it makes itself known even in the midst of fools." Pr 17:3 "The crucible is for silver, and the furnace is for gold, and the LORD tests the heart." Pr 27:19 "As in water face reflects face, so the heart of man reflects the man." And my personal favorite--Pr 22:17-18 "Incline your ear, and hear the words of the wise, and apply your heart to my knowledge, for it will be pleasant if you keep them within you, if all of them are ready on your lips." Every good and every evil is an overflow from the heart. Guard your heart, make wise choices. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
"May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope." Romans 15:13
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