The One Year Wisdom for Women Devotional: 365 Devotions through the Proverbs (41 page)

June 1

Appeasing Anger

     
The anger of the king is a deadly threat;

          
the wise do what they can to appease it.

You might wonder what “angry kings” have to do with you. Well, we can look at the “king” as anyone who has a position of power, or authority, or influence in your life or circumstances. This could be a boss, a teacher, a board member. It could be a landlord or even someone in your family.

What then, do you do when such a person is angry? It might not be life-threatening, but we know anger can escalate and cause trouble.

The first thing you need to ask yourself is,
Have I contributed to the problem?
Yes, the “kings” in your life may be unreasonable and hard to get along with, but are you willing to look at your own responsibility? Have you undermined them? Have you given nonverbal signals of disrespect? Have you been slack in doing what they expected and required?

If the answer is yes, then it is the wise and godly thing to do what you can to appease. To appease means to pacify or quiet. Make it right, say you’re sorry. Don’t just do your job: do more, go the extra mile.

What if their anger is unjustified? Well, the thing is, you are still going to feel the heat of it. Wisdom still recommends that we do what we can to appease.

In either case, you will never go wrong when you begin by praying for them. May God give you insight regarding whatever has made them cranky. And may he give you grace to respond with wise and humble kindness.

Make It Personal . . . Live It Out!

I know women who are married to some very angry men. Is that you? Do you feel you can’t do anything to appease his anger? I believe fear and past hurts are often the cause. It seems they vent and almost dare everyone to hate them because they believe they are unlovable. It becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy. How can you survive in such a situation? It is amazing how the psalm selection for today in
The One Year Bible
(Psalm 119:153-176) seems to be written just for you. Will you read it? Let the words give you comfort and hope.

One Year Bible Reading

2 Samuel 18:1–19:10; John 20:1-31; Psalm 119:153-176; Proverbs 16:14-15

June 2

Choosing the High Way

Our proverb today gives us an important mental picture. There are two paths in life, and each of us must choose. One path leads upward. Jesus called it the “narrow” way, that leads to life. But the other path is a slippery slope. Each step on that path leads downward. Jesus called it the “wide” way, that leads to destruction.

     
The highway of the upright is to depart from evil;

     
He who keeps his way preserves his soul.

Hebrews 12:1 tell us, “Let us lay aside every weight, and the sin that so easily ensnares us” (
NKJV
).

Dear ladies, the way of the upright is to avoid sin and everything that looks like it and leads toward it. We must develop a discernment, sensitivity, and hatred of sin within our own souls. Each time we feel a pang of jealousy, or resentment, or selfishness, or greediness, or unforgiveness, or pride, we must see it for what it is, and put it to death.

I once knew the most wonderful Christian woman who was lit up with her zeal and love for the Lord, but she let herself get hurt in a situation and became angry with another leader in her church. She wouldn’t forgive. Then she became angry at others who didn’t join her negative view. Her light has gone out. Yes, she is still busy with ministry things, but her light has gone out. She let her resentment linger, and it led her to the low road.

Make It Personal . . . Live It Out!

It’s been said, the right way to live is to live right. So, let’s get to it! I want to challenge you today to ask God to help you choose “the highway of the upright.”

Read Philippians 4:4-8. Have you been worrying about everything, but praying about nothing? Stop and pray right now, lifting your burdens to God. Has it been a while since you sincerely thanked God? Pause to praise and thank him specifically for three things. Has your world been far from peaceful? Let his peace fall upon your heart and settle you. Have you been brooding over something someone did that hurt you? Ask God to wash your thoughts today and replace them with good things.

One Year Bible Reading

2 Samuel 19:11–20:13; John 21:1-25; Psalm 120:1-7; Proverbs 16:16-17

June 3

Destructive Pride

     
Pride goes before destruction,

          
and a haughty spirit before a fall.

What a sober, serious, and important warning this is for us, dear sisters.

Pride is an overrated opinion of oneself. It is thinking you are always right or better or more important than someone else.

So how does this attitude cause destruction? Well, it does destroy relationships. Pride treats others like their feelings or wishes or opinions don’t matter; only your feelings and wishes and opinions matter.

Pride can destroy our marriages. Ladies, we can start thinking and treating our husbands like they can’t do anything right or say anything right. Lest we don’t recognize how we communicate this, let me give you three signals we sometimes use to them.

• “Fine.” We say, “Fine,” to end an argument. This is our signal we are right, and they need to shut up.
  
• Loud sigh. This is actually a word. A loud sigh means you consider them hopeless, and you have given up on them.
  
• We can use the words “I’ll do it myself.” This means that only we can do it right.
  

Yes, “Pride goes before destruction” because “If mama ain’t happy, ain’t nobody gonna be happy.”

Make It Personal . . . Live It Out!

Conflict in relationships is inevitable. It’s what we do with it that matters. Here are some good guidelines.

• Don’t be sarcastic or exaggerate. How do you like it when someone does that? You don’t. So don’t.
  
• Timing—don’t start a serious discussion when you are tired, hungry, or in a hurry.
  
• Chose a place to talk that is comfortable for both of you. If you are in a public place, don’t make a scene.
  
• Remember the goal is not to trump the other person. The goal is resolution. Keep aiming at the goal. Build some positive, affirming statements into your conversation.
  
• Admit your mistakes. Sincerely apologize.
  
• Try to find a win-win you both can live with.
  

One Year Bible Reading

2 Samuel 20:14–21:22; Acts 1:1-26; Psalm 121:1-8; Proverbs 16:18

June 4

Simple Childlike Trust

Our proverb today is about the sweetness of simplicity. The fast track, get ahead, me-first life has crashed all around us. For us as Christians it’s time to return to the basics of humility, receptivity, and simple trust in the Lord.

     
It is better to live humbly with the poor

          
than to share plunder with the proud.

     
Those who listen to instruction will prosper;

          
those who trust the Lord will be happy.

“It is better to live humbly.”
Better
is such an ordinary word. Normally I wouldn’t bother to look it up, but listen to the definition.
Better
is “pleasant, excellent, valuable, glad, happy, prosperous, and kind.” It’s incredible that all this good comes when we are happy and contented with the low, humble places and things in life.

Jesus talked about the high seats and the low seats one day. He said the Pharisees always make sure that they get the best seat at all times. Really? That’s a lot of work. All the time you’re comparing. All the time you’re working things to your advantage.

But remember that day they brought young children to Jesus and the disciples wanted to send them away? They must have thought that children were not worth the Savior’s time. “But when Jesus saw it, He was greatly displeased and said to them, ‘Let the little children come to me . . . for of such is the kingdom of God. Assuredly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will by no means enter in it’” (Mark 10:14-15,
NKJV
). So that’s a good word.

Make It Personal . . . Live It Out!

The definition of
simple
is “not complicated, easy to do, not luxurious or elegant.” There is truly no better picture of this than a child holding her father’s hand. She is safe and free to enjoy the journey. Close your eyes. Can you picture yourself as that little girl with a small hand? Can you picture your Father God holding you and guiding you? “You have not received a spirit that makes you fearful slaves. Instead, you received God’s Spirit when he adopted you as his own children. Now we call him, ‘Abba, Father’” (Romans 8:15). Will you take a moment to pause, take a deep breath, and lean into your Father’s strength and wisdom and love?

One Year Bible Reading

2 Samuel 22:1–23:23; Acts 2:1-47; Psalm 122:1-9; Proverbs 16:19-20