Reminders

To know wisdom and instruction, to discern the sayings of understanding,  Proverbs 1:2  NASB

Sayings – The Hebrew word translated “sayings” comes from the root ʾāmar, a verb that has a very big umbrella of meanings.  To say, speak, say to oneself, think, intend, command, promise also creates the derivatives of speech, word, utterance, command, and, in this case, sayings.  Of course, we know Proverbs as pithy biblical insights of instruction, but not all of these memorable sentences come from the Hebrew culture.  Many were adopted from Egyptian and other ancient languages.  That suggests that helpful divine counsel can be found wherever human beings reflect on the essentials of life.  So I offer the following:

Italian guilt

Mom comes home from work and spanks the sons.  “You know you did something wrong today,” she says.  “This is for whatever it was.”

Italian politics

Communism breaks your legs and then gives you crutches.  “You should be grateful we have helped you to walk.”

My collection of reminders

Procrastination is the death of desire.

Money is the weakest form of power.

Are you dying for a life worth living?

Freedom is being His captive.

Compromise is concession between mutual victims.

Addiction is heartache anesthesia.

Addiction is disguised anxiety.

I once wrote that addiction is repressed anger.  Now I can add that addiction is also disguised anxiety.  That helps me realize that anxiety’s true character is powerlessness.  It’s the feeling that my life is spinning out of control and that I am unable to do anything about it.  It’s psychological impotence.

It takes courage to be afraid.

Creativity is the essence of being.

The politics of pathological arrogance: “We know better than you how you should live.”

Something from Joel Steenkamp

“The anger that has no vent in tears makes other organs weep.”[1]

And Abraham Heschel

“ . . . integrity is the fruit of freedom.”[2]

Topical Index:  sayings, ʾāmar, reminders, Proverbs 1:2

[1] J. Steenkamp, SHIP: The Age-Old Art of Facilitating Healing, p. 70.

[2] Abraham Heschel, Man Is Not Alone, p. 142.