PROVERBS 4:20-22

My son, pay attention to what I say; turn your ear to my words.

Do not let them out of your sight, keep them within your heart;

for they are life to those who find them and health to one’s whole body.

TO PONDER

This is either a very sweet meme, or a profound truth that is difficult for a worldly mind to apprehend. God’s words are life and health? It’s the word ‘health’ that takes us out of the realm of mere poetry. We often speak of ‘life’ in sweet romantic ways, but ‘health’ puts us in the pragmatic realm of the daily struggle. So, if ‘health’ isn’t poetic here, neither is ‘life’.

This proverb is encouraging us to deeply trust God’s teaching and so receive the kind of abundant, flourishing life that the Father and Jesus have often promised us.

My mental health improves every time I step aside for time with God and his word. Hope grows, joy increases, I come out of my worries. My posture improves, my relationships thrive again, and my body reaps the benefit along with my soul. There’s no other way to true health and wellbeing, than to sit with God and allow him to forgive, heal and redirect you onto holy paths. I become whole along His holy way.

Note: Prayer, like all disciplines, requires practice and encouragement. Find someone to pray with who has some experience. Listen to them pray and you will learn to pray, and you will learn about them. Prayer reveals the beautiful depths of a person. 

Spiritual Intelligence is trusting God and all his promises to give us a healthy, full, and satisfying life.

PRAYER

 Re-orient my soul, Father. Holy Spirit, imbed your inspired Word deep within my being that my understanding may be increased, intimacy with you deepened, and my world view changed to see as You see. Amen.

Today's devotion written by David Schuppan, LifeWay Illawarra