Proverbs 3

 

READ CHAPTER 3 OF PROVERBS ON YOUR OWN,

OR FOLLOW THE LINK HERE TO READ IT ONLINE!

 

VERSE TO MEMORIZE THIS WEEK: 

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, 

but fools despise wisdom and instruction. 

Proverbs 1:7 

Also, if you don't already know Proverbs 3:5-6, memorize that as well! 

 

Blessed are those who find wisdom, those who gain understanding, for she is more profitable than silver and yields better returns than gold. Proverbs 3:13-14

 

Throughout my life I've had all these material wishes.  The fancy cars, the perfect hair, a gorgeous home, well behaved kids, a fun loving husband and for goodness sakes, painted toes and fingers - matching; making sure the appearances were in line with perfection.

 

Now here's the reality of my little fantasies; my kids cuss (they are grown), my fancy car has been wrecked 4 times, my hair looks perfect until I walk outside (Thank you, SETX!), my husband has major social anxiety, and my home is, well, my home is gorgeous.(Just built.)  So, 1 out of 6. ☺ I attempt to keep my nails fancy, but my job kind of defeats that purpose.  I scrub bathtubs and toilets everyday!  

 

I believe the Lord saw fit for some changes! 

 

As I've been studying Proverbs Chapter 3, I have been just shaking my head thinking, "Oh Lord, I'm so unworthy of You."  

 

My health took a nosedive when I began experiencing debilitating fatigue.  Hindering my ability to "keep up my standards".  I had to let the hair go.  Disciplining my kids took a backseat.  Dragging my poor husband on every church function lost its power.  And geez, how am I going to move all this stuff into a new home?  

 

I remember going from Doctor to Doctor trying to get my health back without much success. I would lie in bed just pleading with God to take it.  Give me back my drive.  Who was going to keep things going?  

 

I don't like asking for help, but, boy, did I do a lot of begging.  In these dark times, I dove into scripture.  I began to share my problems more because God brought me to a place of desperation.  I needed to share, or I was going to lose my mind.  

 

This verse in Chapter 3 describes what God wanted me to accept fully.  "Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding." Proverbs 3:5.  

 

I used facebook to post the scriptures that were carrying me.  I began to hear from others.  I began to handle this illness better.

 

What?  You say I need understanding, Lord, and wisdom?  And I can be free from the obsessions of perfectionism by applying your truths to my life?  You mean all this work I put into the outside looking in people see our junk??  AND they don't care?  Let me tell you sharing has now been my favorite thing to do to walk closer to my God.  

 

This is the wisdom.  This is the understanding.  Get into the word of our Creator, and let Him teach you to lay down your ways and trade them for His.  

 

I've endured crippling health problems, but guess where my healing has improved.  With the Holy promises from the Lord.  I've been disciplined, and the only way the Lord could get me to listen to give up was to put me flat on my back.  Thank You, Abba Father, for Your ways are higher than mine!!  

 

I pray if you get anything out of my story is that to live is to breathe in God's truths.  Let the His Word heal you.  Better than any prescription I've ever tried, and with His grace, I am healthy and whole today.  I am able to work, to exercise, and I take myself to get more and more of Him with my church activities.

 

Wont you let God be your perfection?  His ways are wise, you will find the understanding of everything unanswered.  And an added bonus, peace and joy!

 

 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:  ANDREA RYAN is the wife of 13 years to Dude, full-time working mother of 2 children, and 1 step daughter.  Andrea has been attending Pinecrest Baptist Church in Silsbee, Texas for 22 years.