Trusting in God Allows Our Lives to Flourish

I have opened up the bible to the same passage several times yesterday and today. Honestly, the passages seemed too difficult to dig into. After opening to the same page today, I sighed and asked God to show me what I need to hear today. 

He who is of a proud heart stirs up strife,
But he who trusts in the Lord will be prospered.
—Proverbs 28:25 NKJV

Setting aside my pride, I had to humble myself and work through this passage.

Do I have a proud heart? First, what is a proud heart?

Merriam Webster defines Proud as feeling or showing pride: such as having or displaying excessive self-esteem. Then it continues to define pride as: much pleased, having proper self-respect marked by stateliness or giving reason for pride. 

Clearly pride can be a good, healthy thing. I can be proud of myself for reaching a goal. I can be proud of my hard work and accomplishments and walk with confidence. I can be proud of my children for their grades or winning a race. I can be proud of my husband for doing well at work or picking up a new hobby.

There is that line where confidence turns to arrogance. When I googled “proud heart”, AI provided this definition: A “proud heart” refers to an internal attitude characterized by excessive self-importance, arrogance, and a tendency to disregard others’ perspectives or God’s authority. 

I think we are getting closer. When you think so highly of yourself, you think you know more than others. Gulp. Even more than Our Creator. 

When I am honest with myself, I admit that my heart can be proud. When that neighbor looks down on me, and I get all annoyed inside. My thoughts drift to, what does she know anyway? She thinks she is so great. I feel defensive and want to lash back. 

Yup, that’s pride. 

It matters what God thinks of me, not a slight from someone who doesn’t really know me. 

A proud heart displays arrogance and creates struggle in ourselves. That other person does not even care. The contention is in me, no matter how small. The bitterness can fade or grow inside of me. That affects my life, my family, my relationships, not the other person.

I walked through difficult times and I learned that when thoughts try to sneak into my head, I have to pray that God blesses the person and fights my battles in the heavenly realms. Of course, I forget that sometimes, and walk through the whole cycle again. Thankfully, the Holy Spirit nudges me. I just have to stop and listen. 

When you trust in the Lord, your heart prospers. Trust is an action. You actively put your trust and faith in God and you leave it there knowing God’s got it. You actively take your problem, let go and hand it over to God. Every time you get annoyed or think about it, pray “God I give this to you”. Besides letting go of all the emotional baggage by trusting in God, you will prosper. Trusting in God allows you to be strong through God and succeed. Financially? Maybe. Or, maybe not. A successful life does not revolve around money. You know about all those famous Hollywood names that had it all, yet still felt profound emptiness without God.

There is no comparison to a blessed life filled with the joy of the Lord in your heart and mind. God is so good and gracious to us. We don’t deserve it. God loves us anyway. God meets us where we are at and leads us, if we let Him. Trusting in God allows our lives to flourish. 

Sing Your Praises