31 Days Toward Greater Wisdom - Proverbs 17 - Pleasant
Do you know people who seem to live like they have woken up on the wrong side of the bed; grumpy and frustrated? Maybe you act like that before your morning coffee, until noonish, when hungry, tired or stressed. Proverbs 17 lists a bunch of phrases that describe a healthy, pleasant disposition. Words like cheerful, even-tempered, discerning, selfless, loving and integrity. The writer also uses contrasting words to clarify his point on temperament; strife, malicious, contempt, gloating, arrogant, merciless, quarreling, grief, and bitterness. I know which side of the mood equation I want to be on, but sometimes people or circumstances just get in the way.
In a world where brash, shocking and unthinking are mixed with hyper-sensitive, confrontational and entitled people, you are bound to have some grumpy, frustrated days. However, living grumpy or frustrated will eventually ooze out of your mouth and body language and in the end lead to loneliness and isolation because who volunteers to spend time with a frustrated, grumpy complainer?
Being of pleasant disposition requires thinking before you speak, being thankful for what you have, and thoughtful to others. Quarrelsome, ungrateful and deceitful may seem more common today, but who do you want to be? Your disposition will positively or negatively impact the depth and authenticity of your relationships.
- Listen - Proverbs 1
- Application - Proverbs 2
- Trust - Proverbs 3
- Focus - Proverbs 4
- Faithful - Proverbs 5
- Diligence - Proverbs 6
- Aware - Proverbs 7
- Decisive - Proverbs 8
- Learn - Proverbs 9
- Contrast - Proverbs 10
- Righteousness - Proverbs 11
- Speech - Proverbs 12
- Longing - Proverbs 13
- Thoughtful - Proverbs 14
- Temperament - Proverbs 15
- Motivation - Proverbs 16
- Pleasant - Proverbs 17
