Be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart, all you who hope in the Lord. Psalm 31:24 NKJV.

For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, “Abba, Father.” The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs – heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together. Romans 8:15-17 NKJV.

I had a much needed wake up call this morning before I even had my first sip of coffee. I was jealous. I keep getting twinges of jealousy and quickly ask God to forgive me, but this lingered. In my prayer time with Him, He helped me to bring to the surface my jealousy for others in critical times of my life. He showed me how that jealousy hurt me by my attitude and how deep those tendrils went. And then He reminded me that we are all of us a mixture of good and bad motives and desires and that it takes time and patience for all of us. He knows. Creator God – Father, Son, Spirit, knows and He is patient. He asked me to be patient with myself, with others, and with Him as He does His good work within us. Being with Him and being willing to be with Him restores me – no wallowing, no excuses, no justifications. I’m in His hands and it is so good. He is patient and He is honest and He is love that brings healing.

And our chapter, Proverbs 2, shows us every good path is with our God who loves each of us and is patiently working for our good. My son, if you accept My words and store up My commands within you, turning your ear to wisdom and applying your heart to understanding – indeed, if you call out for insight and cry aloud for understanding, and if you look for it as for silver and search for it as for hidden treasure, then you will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God. For the Lord gives wisdom; from His mouth come knowledge and understanding…Then you will understand what is right and just and fair – every good path. For wisdom will enter your heart, and knowledge will be pleasant to your soul…v. 1-6, 9, 10. Not just understanding for the complex problems of this world but for understanding of the complex problems that are me. We need to see before we can begin to understand. Wisdom will save you from the ways of wicked men, from men whose words are perverse, who have left the straight paths to walk in dark ways, who delight in doing wrong and rejoice in the perverseness of evil…Wisdom will save you also from the adulterous woman…v. 12-14, 16. God doesn’t tell us these things so we can condemn ourselves and others. Remember the woman caught in the act of adultery, John 8:2-11? He tells us these things so we can learn wisdom with God helping us. The teachers of the law and the Pharisees brought in a woman caught in adultery. They made her stand before the group and said to Jesus, “Teacher, this woman was caught in the act of adultery. In the Law Moses commanded us to stone such women. Now what do you say?” They were using this question as a trap, in order to have a basis for accusing Him. But Jesus bent down and started to write on the ground with His finger. When they finally kept on questioning Him, He straightened up and said to them, “Let any one of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.” Again He stooped down and wrote on the ground. At this, those who heard began to go away one at a time, the older ones first, until only Jesus was left, with the woman still standing there. Jesus straightened up and asked her, “Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?” “No one, sir,” she said. “Then neither do I condemn you,” Jesus declared. “Go now and leave your life of sin.” My jealous heart wasn’t on display this morning for all to see and condemn. God saw and knew I needed to take a deeper look so that together He and I can work for my good. I am so grateful for God’s patience in working with me. He will help me be patient with myself, with others, and especially – with Him. He knows it takes time well spent and He does everything in His timing for our good…..Thank You, Lord, for so patient a Love. I don’t have to be afraid when You show me the dark parts of me that are hurting me because You are working for my good and it is wonderful….And guess what? He is doing the same thing for all of us! His timing for our Good.