As I was reading Proverbs 14 this morning I didn’t get too far before I had to pause and contemplate verse 14.

¹⁴ The backslider in heart will be filled with his own ways,
But a good man will be satisfied from above.

I think we all get frustrated with life sometimes.  Disappointed that things didn’t worked out the way we planned or the wait for a promise was just a little (lot) bit longer then we expected.  These are dangerous times for the Christian.  If we don’t stay close to God and stay in His presence we can allow ourselves to get upset and even angry with God.  If left unchecked that can lead to bitterness and a dry spirit.  (don’t ask me how I know that : )

In these times (which I hope you never experience) it’s easy to turn to “comfort sins.”  Those bad habits the old man used to have that want to come back in and enslave again.  It can be as simple as overeating comfort foods or much worse.  Certainly the comfort food analogy applies.

If you’ve ever been down this dark path even a little ways (I imagine it may be more common then people like to admit) and back again then you already know the wisdom of God through Solomon in Proverbs 14:14.  You will grow tired of being backsliden (new word alert!)  in heart.  You will have your fill and the Holy Spirit will make you sick of it!  Thank God for that!

There is a way back.  Even better, there is a way to avoid this backsliden condition to begin with.  Run to God every day!  Stay close to Him no matter what.  Share your troubles with Him.  Lay your burdens at His feet.  If you pick them back up an hour later, lay them at His feet again!  He cares in a very personal way for you and the more you spend time with Him, the more you will see Him working in big and small ways in your life.

God is getting you through whatever it is.  If you are frustrated and fall, let God pick you back up.  Confess your sins to Him.  Turn away from Backslideness (an even better new word alert!) and into His loving arms.  Then you will be back on the track to being a good man satisfied from above, no matter what your circumstances.

18 Telling lies about others
is as harmful as hitting them with an ax,
wounding them with a sword,
or shooting them with a sharp arrow. (NLT)

I have a friend who walks the streets of NW Tucson. I don’t know too much about her, but we have visited a couple of times. I have even given her rides and bought her some groceries. You may have seen her too. She carries a parasol and is often walking on Oracle Road.

I always wondered what her story was. When I met her I discovered she is a Christian. As she walks, she looks for work cleaning or other work to help pay her rent. As we talked I discovered that people make fun of her and it’s hurtful to her. Although she doesn’t lead a “normal” life as most people understand it, she is a real person with real feelings. I imagine 99% of the folks who talk bad about her have never met her and have no idea what her life is like.

Today’s Proverb is a great reminder to me not to run people down. If I can’t say it to their face in love then it’s just not worth saying.