Proverbial Teachings: Chapter 16 Character Traits

As the true islands appear past the faux islands,

the waterway reveals one more border / obstruction / challenge to overcome (breakwater).

 A breakwater sounds like a good idea, but even that effort avoids a natural process.

This live maneuvers your heart into molds eternal,

may you follow the teachings of righteousness

which produce a refined heart, a resilient spirit, an image of God. 

Challenges in this life are guaranteed... and how you handle them makes a world of difference.

Trouble sometimes is unavoidable... and how you apply your brakes and turn away from it make a life and death difference to someone (or yourself).

Trials present themselves in a myriad of ways... and the Court of Justice is ever-present before the Lord.

There are certain things in life you are bound to experience, some from no fault of your own.

Everything in life is purposed, even death and how it arose from a consequence of disobedience.

Some situations are outside our will, beyond our ability to restrain or affect or even avoid.

These too are purposed to the benefit of your character-molding and the witnessing of others.

Some situations in life may be influenced by you directly, in either subtle or impacting ways.

All things may test you.

It is how you respond, react, realize, reflect... that will reveal a blessing or the lack of one.

What may initially be perceived as a blessing received may actually be (or turn out to be) a detriment.

True blessings are not always immediately recognized as such, but over time blessings may be counted into the multitudes (if we would attempt counting all of them, an impossibility I think).

In all things our peace may be challenged, our resolve tempted, our character instigated.

Have you ever noticed a situation where silence would have been the better choice?

Perhaps a circumstance where, in place of a harsh word a kinder word may have brought about a very different conclusion.

Some times, a sincere smile can ease an apprehensive and tense moment.

A kind gesture can smooth out a rough patch.

Silence is also a form of communication, very effective and speaking volumes although not a word is mentioned.

An apology, for some spirits an avoided consideration, can put out a spark that is desiring to become an inferno.

For the believer, Messiah exemplified the human qualities any person would desire to have (if they understood clearly bad from good, falsehood from truth, darkness from light).

For the believer, Messiah exemplified the traits that brought rise to (and continue to raise) individuals who are maligned, abused, ostracized, manipulated, imprisoned (spiritually and physically).

Let the following proverbial teachings beckon your adherence as you allow yourself to be molded by His holy hand:

The Lord detests all the proud of heart. 

   Be sure of this: They will not go unpunished. 

      Pride goes before destruction, 

   a haughty spirit before a fall. 

      The wise in heart are called discerning, 

         and gracious words promote instruction. 

      Prudence is a fountain of life to the prudent, 

         but folly brings punishment to fools. 

            Gracious words are a honeycomb, 

               sweet to the soul and healing to the bones. 

            A scoundrel plots evil, 

         and on their lips it is like a scorching fire. 

      A perverse person stirs up conflict, 

         and a gossip separates close friends. 

      A violent person entices their neighbor 

   and leads them down a path that is not good. 

      Whoever winks with their eye is plotting perversity; 

   whoever purses their lips is bent on evil. 

- Proverbs 16: 5, 18, 21-22, 24, 27-30