The book of Proverbs is a guide for pursuing godly wisdom in our daily lives. In this four-week study, we will read a selection of topical proverbs covering different aspects of wisdom, from how to interact with our friends, families, and neighbors, to fearing God and keeping His commands. No matter the subject, these proverbs urge us to wrestle with and reflect on our own response to them. To help you better engage with the proverbs in this reading plan, we have provided you with a short introduction and reflection questions for each day.
God created our bodies and cares about both our hearts and our health. Scripture tells us that followers of Jesus will have glorified bodies in eternity, where there will be no more sadness, death, or pain—only joy, life, and wholeness. Right now, though, we live in a fallen world where our joy is often quelled and our bodies break. These proverbs help us to live in light of the eternal comfort that awaits.
Reflection Questions:
These proverbs connect our well-being to our spiritual health. What are some reasons we should pursue physical and emotional health?
In light of Proverbs 3:13–18, define godly happiness in your own words.
How would you explain the connection between wise counsel and “health to one’s whole body” (Proverbs 4:22)? Conversely, how can something like envy contribute to poor health?
I have been dealing with chronic pain for over 16 years now, and I can tell you (as many of you have experienced as well), that if you don’t feel good physically you are cranky, short-tempered, irritable, and tired. It is hard on spouses, kids, and friends and it is hard for them to see where it stems from, only what they experience through you. (Which thank you for someone’s comment about how maybe your pain is other’s window into God, that did indeed resonate with me!) But you have to look to God in that pain to help you with your strength and attitude. Chronic pain and illness can often lead to depression, so it is imperative that you lean on God and find that strength in Him. I have come a long way in my faith journey in the last 20 years and only hope and pray that I am being a wonderous piece of the big puzzle, and I try to live my life that way every day, that I will hear the words Well Done on that Oh Glorious Day!
I am missing Tina from across the pond, hoping everything is ok with our sister in Christ!
Envy is a sin and where sin is present, the devil is present. This 100% contributes to overall poor health.
I think of Godly happiness as contentment and peace regardless of my circcumstances. It comes from knowledge that God loves us and while our world is broken, He is not. He is wonderful and faithful so this is what that means to me. As to the second question of physical and spiritual health connection, I have really struggled with this the past week. Full transparency… I have been angry and bitter this week and had some “rightous anger” and I believe this has stemmed from some envy. Envy ma not be the right word and I am still pursueing truth at this time around the issue. The good news is God is bigger than my issue and I will find knowledge and wisdom which will propel me to guide me to identify the sinful part Ineed to let go of. This will bring healing to me and I look forward to discovery and peace.
It’s amazing how our mental state is so connected to our physical state. I know right now, I’m struggling with my physical health with this ovarian cyst, and it’s been a battle in my mind to not give in to the frustration of not being the best I can be for my family right now. It leads down a slippery slope of insecurity and could end up in wallowing in self pity, which will only leave me feeling worse mentally and physically. That doesn’t mean I don’t wish and pray that I’m feeling better ASAP or that I’m overjoyed by being ill, but it’s about grace and asking God what He would have me learn during this time and putting my trust in Him, for myself and my family. Learning to be content in every situation isn’t easy, but God is so faithful when we put our trust in Him.
Love these verses. I do think its important to remember that we wont always be healthy in all areas at the same time. During my toughest period about 12 years ago, my anxiety was sky high and I was having almost daily panic attacks, some just crippling. Yet during that period of terrible mental health, the Lord drew nearer to me than I have ever felt before or since. He consistently showed me He was there and my faith grew so much stronger during that period. I believe he used those few months in my life to draw me closer than ever to him and solidify an everlasting faith.
Proverbs 17:22 is the verse that really stuck with me because I have seen to many times when people who are angry, upset, mean, or unpleasant to be around get sick they take forever to get well. I have noticed with myself if I remain happy and joyful (even in the hardest of times, and I’ve had some lately) I don’t feel as bad and I am less likely to get sick.
On to the questions, I feel we should pursue physical and emotional health is to be able to stay focused and grounded on God, Christ, The Holy Spirit, and the teachings in the Bible and by doing this we will have happiness and live a prosperous Christian life.
To me, Godly happiness is having wisdom, knowledge and understanding of God’s ways and words and living them.
I love how our physical body is connected to our emotions. I want to take care of my whole self so that I can be a good witness for Christ and walk out his calling for my life.
When we do what god called us to do and/or our spirit is happy.
We want to have good mental health