“A sound heart is the life of the flesh: but envy the rottenness of the bones.”
Proverbs 14:30

I do have a random post coming! Pictures are slowly making their way out of my editor and into my “MUST BLOG” file. ;) But I’m meditating on a sound heart tonight! ♥ As I began to go through the book of Proverbs a couple weeks ago, I prayed for fresh perspective and that the Lord would open my eyes to new lessons! It’s easy to go through the motions of daily bible reading and then end the book without remembering what you’ve read[anyone else have this problem?;], so I’ve set myself to daily praying that the  Lord would open my eyes to His word and for  fresh lessons before I begin my reading! God truly is faithful to answer these prayers. :) As always, the contrast between Wisdom & foolishness always convicts me. And as I came to pride vs. humility I was instantly challenging! The need to evaluate my life and my heart was made clear, looking for pride and then seeking to humble myself before God and others[whether it be seeking forgiveness for offenses/hurt/wrongs -even if they are accidental in nature- or being willing to yield to others, etc.] …. I am convinced this will be a life long challenge ;). With pride is sadly promised contention/strife[Prov 13:11], dishonor[Prov 11:2], and destruction[Prov 16:8]. In James 4:6 we are told, “God resisteth the proud”.  But with humility is promised wisdom[Prov 22:4], life, & grace[James 4:6]! A sweet friend gave me »this bookmark«. I’ve kept it tucked in my bible and It’s been a daily blessing used to evaluate my heart! But besides wisdom vs. foolishness & pride vs. humility, something that struck me for the first time ever was the extreme contrast between a sound heart vs. envy!! I had honestly never compared/contrasted the 2 before but when I read Proverbs 14:30 I had one of those lightbulb “YESSS!” moments :)! Prov 14:30 says,  “A sound heart is the life of the flesh: but envy the rottenness of the bones.” As I read the word “envy” I instantly thought about this verses in James 3, “For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work.” Envy = “a feeling of discontented or resentful longing aroused by someone else’s possessions, qualities, or luck.” I am reminded that because of the envy in their hearts, Cain slew Abel and Saul vehemently pursued David.  As I contemplated what a sound heart looked like I was reminded of one of my favorite Psalms of late, Psalm 131 and verse 2, “Surely I have behaved and quieted myself, as a child that is weaned of his mother: my soul is even as a weaned child.” This is a picture of perfect contentment in the will of our Savior and what He has given us! A sound heart is a heart of contentment and a heart that is at peace with what the Lord has supplied…. It is the life to the flesh! Envy is discontentment, desiring what others have, and will bring confusion, evil works[James 3:16], destruction,  and rottenness to the bones[Prov 14:30]!  Where there is envy there is no soundness of heart! When you allow yourself to envy, you open your heart to rottenness. So ladies, today I want to encourage you to search your heart! Pray for a sound heart, given to perfect contentment with what our Sovereign Lord has supplied for you and do not give any room for envy.  My random midnight musing[most likely not posted until mid-morning ;]! Have a fantastic weekend!

“But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth. This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish.  For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work.  But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.”
James 3:14-17