Read
7Stay away from fools,
or you won't learn a thing.
8Wise people have enough sense
to find their way,
but stupid fools get lost.
9Fools don't care
if they are wrong,
but God is pleased
when people do right.
10No one else can really know
how sad or happy you are.
11The tent of a good person
stands longer than the house
of someone evil.
12 You may think you are
on the right road
and still end up dead.
13Sorrow may hide
behind laughter,
and happiness may end
in sorrow.
14You harvest what you plant,
whether good or bad.
Reflect
My husband is a pastor to an elderly audience. Consequently we spend considerable time sitting at the bedside of people who are getting ready to pass into eternity. Conversations with dying people give us harsh realities of how we need to be intentional about living without regret.
The book of Proverbs is loaded with guidance to help us live our very best life. For example:
1. Hang around with great people. Stay away from foolish people who may deceive us, give us bad advice or perhaps even lead us into sin (vv 7, 8).
2. Quickly make amends for your sins. Don’t listen to fools who will mock you for living a godly, upright life (v 8).
3. Guard your heart against bitterness. There is great joy when we are free from the sour taste of harbouring ill will against other people (v 10).
4. Be a faithful person. That means to be faithful to your spouse, friends and especially God. Your reward will be that you will reap that faithfulness when you need someone to be at your side (v 14).
There is nothing sadder than to hear someone say, “I wish I had made better choices. I wish I had spent more time nurturing friendships. I wish…”
The way to avoid a “regretful life” is simple and hard but worth its weight in gold. When we apply godly wisdom on our life’s pathway, we will be able to look back with peace, joy and “no regrets.”
Respond
Dear Father God, Thank you that you give us a trusted instruction manual for living our best life. I ask you to help me to not just read your words of wisdom, but to learn to apply them to every part of my life. Thank You. Amen
Heidi McLaughlin
For over two decades Heidi has helped people find fulfillment in life through embracing God’s truth. She does this through writing and teaching the Bible, mentoring and speaking at Conferences and Retreats all across North America. Heidi has been twice widowed and has a family of 5 children and 12 grandchildren. When she is not writing or speaking she loves to golf, laugh or share a cup of coffee with her family and friends. Publications: Sand To Pearls: Making Bold Choices to Enrich your Life; Beauty Unleashed: Transforming a Woman’s Soul; Restless for More: Finding Fulfillment in Unexpected Places; Looking Back and Enjoying The View; Your Home, An Entry Into a Woman’s Heart Anthologies: Second Cup of Hot Apple Cider; A Taste of Hot Apple Cider, Apple Cider and Cinnamon, Chicken Soup for the Soul: "O Canada"; Sunshine Kisses for Grandmas, , The Joy of Less
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