Writing is so very challenging at times.  This week I’m feeling great pressure to get my five-minute talk ready for the Proverbs 31 conference.

Trying to find one topic that I can teach with meaning, that will bless the listener, whether they like my style or not.

So I started with Trust – look up Greek and Hebrew definitions, pray again, add a comma, and then erase the comma, ultimately throwing the whole thing in the garbage.

New page – Woman at the well – begin working the formula – me, we, God, we, you, or something close to that – hitting brick wall – “Oh, for crying out loud” – going for a walk – praying.

I’m such a pleaser sometimes.  Do you struggle as well?  I want this to be right, so that it comes from God and it touches the people listening.

I want to please God, I want to please others, and then wonder why in the world I’m frustrated and dissatisfied.

“ So you will find favor and good repute in the sight of God and man; trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.  In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.” Proverbs 3:4-6

The word “trust” here is “Batach” and it has meaning of; well being which results from knowing the rug won’t be pulled out from underneath you.  (Hebrew Lexical Aid to the Old Testament).

Finding favor with God and man begins with trusting our heavenly Father with the results of our work, because we began our work with and in Him.  And we know that He who began a good work in us will see it to the end.  (Philippians 1:6)

If we will relax and seek first His Kingdom and His Rightouseness then all this will be added unto you and me.

How hard can it be?  Seriously.  But the world crowds in and wants a portion of center stage, and I begin to rely on my own understanding.  I know, Mrs. Not To Bright!”

I delve further into my personal study.

“And do not lean on your own understanding”.  Again, the Hebrew lexical to the Old Testament says, “Lean”, sha’an, to support oneself,  To lean upon a spear, I.E. to commit Suicide.

What??

To lean on oneself is to commit suicide! To lean on our understanding regarding another person’s heart and intension, to rely on our own understanding thinking we know all there is to know about a person or situation, and then taking action on that limited knowledge!  Suicide! Wow!

Song of Songs talks about the beloved coming up from the wilderness, leaning on her beloved. (Song of Songs 8:5)  We are not to lean on our own strength, or our own understanding.  Our beloved Christ loves us to wrap our arms around His and lean on Him as He teaches us.

I need wisdom, Lord.  I am asking, and your Word says that you will give generously, without reproach.  In other words, you give without making us feel dumb for asking.

Thank you Father.  Amen

Hummmmmmm……I wonder if I can get all of this into Five minutes or less.  Thank you Lord!

Linking with The Wellspring, Multitudes on Monday, Meme Mondays, Graceful

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Diane W. Bailey is the founder of The Consilium – an online community of wisdom and purpose for women over 45 years of age. She is a published author. Her books include String of Pearls – From Tears to Treasure, and 30 Days To A Better Stepfamily. She creates her own line of precious metals bracelets. Diane lives in the Deep South with her husband Doc. Together they have created a stepfamily, each having two stepchildren and two birth children, and share three grandchildren, one black lab named Charlie and one long haired tabby cat named Lil Girl. Diane’s passion is to encourage women to be all God has created them to be by pressing past fear and daring to live life as an adventure. Some of her life adventures include traveling to Israel, speaking, entrepreneurship and backyard farming with Doc. She loves Gumbo, fried shrimp and seeing all sunsets across water.

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