The Foundation of Wisdom

                                              When the Door Slams

Therefore we do not lose heart. 
Even though our outward man is perishing, 
yet the inward man is being renewed day by day.
                                                                               2 Corinthians 4:16

     It's been said that young people look forward, old people look back and middle aged just look tied. There's truth in that statement, think about! How much better it would be if each age group would look at their present reality from a new perspective.

     All of us are aging. We cannot avoid it no matter how hard we try. Yet how frantic we get trying to be younger, thinner, and wealthier. All we can see is ourselves.

     If we viewed our aging process with an eternal perspective, we wouldn't be so quick to forget how important inner beauty is. We would be the kind of people who didn't forget to count their blessings even if it became a necessity to also count calories.
   
     We would be aware that once we get to know good people, they all become beautiful. We, as older people, would build our lives into younger people so that when we die all our wisdom wouldn't die with us. We would live each day with compassion knowing that it is a precious, never to be repeated,  gift.

     The fear of the Lord is the foundation of a life built with wisdom. It is the first step toward a new adventure in knowing and following Jesus Christ.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, I am so grateful for who you are and what you have done for me. I need your wisdom every day, to bring together the pieces of my life with a new appreciation for your Word and a fresh commitment to obedience, with the power of the Holy Spirit.     
        
         
 

When The Door Slams

                               When the door in your life slams: 

Whoever has no rule over his own spirit
Is like a city broken down, without walls. 
                                                                 Proverbs 25:28

         One of the tasks of healthy maturing involves setting appropriate boundaries. The codependent typically experiences a serious lack in the ability to set appropriate boundaries. Boundaries allow a person to set limits so that they do not feel walked on. Boundaries allow an individual to choose what to do or not do.
     
      A friend struggled with boundaries. She could not choose what she wanted to do apart from what others wanted her to do, She couldn't say no. She felt power-less and resented the control others had over her.

     If someone is manipulating or controlling you and you do not take control of yourself and your decisions, then you are like a city with broken-down walls. Such a city would be easy prey for another nation to besiege and control. Similarly, if you do not set boundaries, you can be easily taken over by others.

     When that begins to happen, there is the tendency to lose control of your emotions and develop irrational thinking. Often there is the likelihood of distorting reality. Proverbs 28:1 speaks of one who flees "when no one pursues." Fleeing or running away can happen by escaping will all kinds of addictive behaviors such as alcohol, drugs, sex, or workaholic. But we do not need to run away. The righteous can be courageous and bold as a lion.

    Prayer: Lord Jesus gives us the courage to set boundaries in order to help us see our limits, and to help us protect ourselves from others.