Finding Treasure In the Garbage of Life

Proverbs 16:21-23  He that handleth a matter wisely shall find good: and whoso trusteth in the Lord, happy is he. The wise in heart shall be called prudent: and the sweetness of the lips increaseth learning.  Understanding is a wellspring of life unto him that hath it: but the instruction of fools is folly.  The heart of the wise teacheth his mouth, and addeth learning to his lips.

Have you ever accidently thrown something of value away only to have to dig through filthy rubble to get it back again? 
Life can be like that.  We sometimes have to stumble through or dig through the rubble of garbage that accumulates around us in order that we find the character that God is trying to build in us.  It’s called LIFE.  And, well, sometimes things in life can really stink.  That’s why it is so awesome to have the LORD at our side.
  
I like these points:

·        He that handles a matter wisely shall find good.  Gracious words add to one’s reputation.  Simple mathmatics. Not a minus, but a plus.  YES! It’s a positive thing!
 
·        Whoever trusts in the Lord is happy.  Their confidence is in Him, not themselves.

·        The wise in heart are considered careful, discreet.  Their actions show thought and care for the future.  Discretion is life-giving, and this is so crucial when dealing with “the next generation”. 

·        Considerate words increase learning.  Pleasant words are persuasive

·        The prudent, the considerate, the thoughtful, the caring, the discreet people--what a refreshment. When somebody uses true intelligence, to the listener, it is truly refreshing.  It’s like standing in a sprinkler on a gruesomely hot day.       

·        Giving instruction to silly, unwilling-to-learn individuals is a waste of your time. Don’t bother.

·        From a wise mind comes wise speech.  Hey, wise people make a lot of good sense. 

The person that handles a matter wisely shall find good.  Sometimes it's hard to find nuggets of treasure as your wading through a slime pit.  But there is no impossibilities with God!  I’m taking refuge in this statement…this little verse of promise. It's like a nugget in my pocket.  It gives me hope!  It restores my mind.  It re-charges me.  It fills me with energy.  And, I especially need it…well, for LONG while to come.
  
Without holding on to God and putting my trust in Him it is rather impossible to handle some matters of life in a wise manner.  Actually I’m finding that to get the latter accomplished I must first possess the former.   I’m finding that it is definitely not through my own strength and intellect that I can live, talk, walk graciously before some individuals and through some circumstances.  It is only through the power of God. ONLY through Him!

Psalm 34:8  Taste and see that the LORD is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in him.

Even well-meaning people can give you garbage to eat, ya know.  Rather than taking in a huge mouth-ful of the bitter happenings in life though, I need to put a whole heaping spoonful shovel-ful of GOD in my mouth.  Taste and see that the LORD is good!  All that other stuff makes me want to vomit.  I’m more blessed when I hope in HIM…when I take refuge in HIS unfailing love.

Psalm 32:10 says, the Lord’s unfailing love surrounds those who trusts in him. 
I’m trusting, Lord.  I’m clinging to Your unchanging hand.  Human love fails, but God-love is lasting.  Help me to put on God-love.  And…umm, Lord, I need a little favor here.  As we’re walking together along this journey, help me to remember that though the winding road be a little un-nerving I can still be happy…I can be happy and walk gracefully because I’m holding to You…and, Lord, uh,....when the insensitive, hurtful people surround my pathway...help me to remember that Your love surrounds me too...and, when I don’t want to say gracius things back to them…could You pleazzzzzzze use your other hand to cover my mouth!...(or maybe you could give me a spoonful of sugar, or something....so if I do open my mouth I'm blowing 'sweet-nothings' back to them).  Thanks, God.  Much obliged.  You...are...awesome!
 :-)