Handle With Care
Today’s Verse:
He that handleth a matter wisely shall find good: and whoso trusteth in the LORD, happy is he. ~Proverbs 16:20
Whenever items of a fragile nature are being packed for shipping, the outside container is stamped with the message: “handle with care.” It is a clearly marked reminder that the contents of that box are not to be handled with roughness. It is a reminder that things inside the box could break if not handled carefully. In a similar vein, our devotion this morning centers itself on things we must handle with care.
We must handle our dealings with care.
What we say and how we say it can make a world of difference in the keeping and maintaining of relationships. Proverbs 15:1 teaches us, “A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.” Our nature is retaliatory whenever confronted. It takes a strong person to respond with kindness and understanding versus blowing up and chewing the other person out. This application is so necessary in our marriages, our child-rearing, and confronting others about their failures. Be careful how you say it!
We must handle our disappointments with care.
Disappointments lead many of us to being reactive instead of being responsive. Disappointments lead many people to make their own decisions and not consult the Lord about what He has to say about the matter. When disappointments come, we must first cast this burden upon the Lord. Second, we must prevent ourselves from making any decision when we are emotionally drained and drifting. Third, we should seek pastoral counsel as soon as possible in order to get a clear perspective on the matter at hand. Be careful about how you allow disappointments to affect you!
We must handle our doctrine with care.
Doctrine is the core belief about the fundamentals of the Bible that define our practices. God’s Word is very clear about what the doctrines mean, what benefit they bring to us, and why we must hold them dearly to heart. The books of men are not the watermark for our faith: the Bible stands alone as this watermark. Doctrine is to be upheld and made visible in our life. Doctrine is not to be watered down, neglected, or disparaged. Be careful about how you handle the doctrines handed down to you!
We must handle our doubts with care.
Circumstances, failure, disappointments, and larger-than-life problems will cause us to be doubtful at times. They will appear to us as the Red Sea did to the children of Israel. They will appear to us as the giant Goliath did to Saul and the men of Israel in the valley of Elah. They will appear to us as the storms on Galilee that the disciples encountered, even with Jesus on board with them. The only antidote that can deal with doubt is faith! “Whoso trusteth in the LORD, happy is he”! Handle all doubts with faith and trust in the Lord! Roll the burdens, doubts, and problems on to the Lord and let Him work. In the absence of trusting God, we have no other God-given means to overcome adversity.
Handle your matters wisely! We have a promise in this verse. Pray about everything! Know when it is time to speak and when not to speak! Have faith in God in everything! Love your enemies and be ready to light coals of fire on their heads when the Lord gives you that opportunity. Handle your matters wisely, and you shall find good!
Have a prudent God Morning!
Bible Reading Schedule: Job 15-17