We are studying Proverbs and it has been great. I have been struggling with things at work and fear and anxiety have has taken root as I have come to "lean on my own understanding" in these matters. In my own study of Proverbs 3:5 I found the following commentary:
"Trust" and "lean" (v. 5) are very close in meaning. Trusting means to put oneself wholly
at the mercy of another (cf. Jer. 12:5b; Ps. 22:9b). Leaning is not just reclining against
something but relying on it totally for support.
"In the final analysis all government, all economics, all currency and
banking, all institutions and all marriages, all relationships between
people, are fundamentally governed by trust. Without trust, society
deteriorates into paranoia, the feeling that everybody is out to get you."
(Larsen, Paul E. Wise Up and Live. Bible Commentary for Laymen Series. Ventura,
Calif.: Gospel Light Publications, Regal Books, 1974.)
"There are two sides to the matter of trust. There is the decision of trust
and the habit of trust. The first is called 'commitment;' the second is called
'trust.' Trust follows commitment, not always right away, but it begins
there. In the middle of our fears we make a decision to trust. This does not
immediately bring the habit of trust, but if we will muster the courage to
commit our way to God we shall soon learn to trust."
"...deteriorates into paranoia, the feeling that everybody is out to get you." That is where I am. Trust has been lost and is it easily restored. "Once burned twice shy?"
So I am comforted from Proverbs 3:5-6 and Psalms 1. We need to put our trust in the Lord and in Him alone.
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4 comments:
Hi Jason,
Alyce Gatlin here (formerly Alyce Gregg). Please e-mail me: my current first name and last name put together at comcast dot net.
Thanks!
Alyce
P.S. Nice to see you're a Christian and growing, too. So am I.
Alyce
Jason
I think the coming years are going to put our faith to a test. We will also have to trust that the incoming administration can't take away the rest of the things we once thought of as rights a citizens before we can remove them from power.
That being said, I really like your blog. Your pictures are great and the family (including your mom & dad) look terrific. I've really missed having all of you virtually out of my life for some 30 years, but I really didn't like living in California, even as a kid in Truckee.
Anyway, hope this finds you all well. You can find us (though our blog spot can take off on much greater tangents than yours) at rvcox@blogspot.com.
Rich
Wow- sorry guys- I didn't realize I actually had comments. Thanks for leaving comments.
Alyce- it is good to hear that you are growing, too. It is great to know that we have real hope.
Rich- We have missed you being around. Find my a good job out there I would consider leaving California. I will get Kiana to put you on the Picasa picture updates!
Take care,
JG
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