Depression and the Word

Proverbs 12:25 (NKJV) => Anxiety in the heart of man causes depression, But a good word makes it glad.

I don't know how much more straightforward this can be, I know from experience with anxiety attacks and depression. I have had crippling attacks of fear so great I had to fight to breathe. By surrounding myself with positive people who lift me up, I have turned the depression around and have made the attacks not as severe or as frequent. In the therapies I have been receiving, there have been decades of scientific research coming to the same conclusion that Solomon had centuries ago. This verse tonight is speaking to me as a praise to God that the burden of anxiety and depression can be lifted. It all comes down to whom I choose to surround myself with.

Heavenly Father, tonight I thank You and praise You that the burden of Anxiety and Depression are not the strangling chains that my friends and I once experienced them to be. I thank You, Lord, for the friends and supporters that I have found to walk with me through the difficult times of my days. Holy Spirit, help me to always remember, above all and anyone else, You are my greatest and most powerful support of all. Amen.

Generosity to Share

Proverbs 11:25 (NKJV) => The generous soul will be made rich, And he who waters will also be watered himself.

I need to remember that I should be as generous as I can. Not just with money -- which I have little of -- but also with my time, friendships, or even just a smile to a stranger I pass on the street. I was reminded of this today as I rode home from an appointment. I need to be more friendly and not always so absorbed into my headphones. My smiles are free and it may be all the more pick-up that some people need (like myself!) to turn around a 'less than' day. I also need to remember that smile is a two-way street. I will feel better by helping someone else's day go well.

Heavenly Father, thank you for the lesson you taught me today about extending myself. Help me to remember that I will be 'watering myself'' when I 'water' the spirit of others.  Holy Spirit, help me to always keep my kindness at the front and help me to be Your light into others life. Amen.

Being Random Tonight

Tonight isn't going to be one of my regular posts. I was hoping to be a little random-like and just write. I was hoping for some feedback about what you think about my blog. I know my posts may not leave a lot of ground on which to comment. I thank you, Friends, who have tried to comment for me. I would like to take this opportunity to make a post that you can feel free to comment. I would love to get some feedback from you about what you think of my blog now that its a week old. {wow, already?}

I was once advised by a friend to be sure I don't "share my disease" and use the word 'we' when I am sharing about something. I hope this doesn't come across as being self-centered in my writing. I feel it is right to say in Bible study because it is a very personal experience and exchange between a person and God. My reactions to verses are different than what you may take from the same ones. In fact, with writing these realizations down, I am seeing that I am not reacting to the same verses the same way myself. I have highlighted passages that, while moving to me at one point, aren't what God is trying to get through to me right now. So please, reread my posts. I'm not saying it for any sort of numbers - I truly want you to get the most out of this and would absolutely love to hear that you are reading along with me. I would love to hear how God is using other verses in the chapter to speak into your life.

Tomorrow and Sunday I will catch back up with the 31 Days of Proverbs. Tomorrow I'll be reading and making two posts from Proverbs 11 and 12. Sunday will be two posts from Proverbs 13 and 14.

 I will see you again.
Karen

Get the Point

Proverbs 10:17 (NKJV) => He who keeps instruction is in the way of life, But he who refuses correction goes astray.

I am supposed to keep to the lessons of the Bible. The things I learne from the Bible will help me to keep to the correct path in life. If I don't learn and remember the purposes of what is said in the Bible, I will easily lose my way.

Holy Spirit help me to always remember the life lessons I learn from reading the Bible. Help me to always see how these words of wisdom can be applied to my life. Help me to not go astray. Amen.

Walk This Way

Proverbs 9:6 (NKJV) => Forsake foolishness and live, And go in the way of understanding.

Solomon is starting to transition. He is still writing about wisdom but he is beginning to introduce the foolish man into his work.

I need to work at being less foolish. I need to be more aware of what choices I am making. I really need to be aware when I am not making choices. When I stop making my own choices and therefore make others make them for me, I am acting foolishly. I am not acting with understanding. I am usually acting out of fear. God did NOT give me a spirit of fear. (2 Timothy 1:7)

Heavenly Father, thank you for giving me understanding about my decision making. Holy Spirit guide me away from the foolishness this world has to offer me. Help me to understand Your ways are the ways of understanding. Show me the pathway to life. Amen.

The Fear of the Lord

Proverbs 8:13 (NKJV) => The fear of the Lord is to hate evil; Pride and arrogance and the evil way And the perverse mouth I hate.

This verse is out of a section where Solomon is writing as the voice of Wisdom. It has declared that wisdom comes from fear of the Lord. This verse explains what 'Fear of the Lord' looks like.

I need to remember what it is to fear the Lord. I need to be sure I am doing what I say I should be doing. I need to try harder with my thoughts and words. I do not want to be seen as prideful or arrogant.

Holy Spirit, thank You for Your help improving my self-worth. Please help me to be sure to never go too far into pridefulness or arrogance. I want to fear You correctly. Amen.