I Am Ok!
The Book of Proverbs
Proverbs Chapter 30
Scripture= Proverbs chapter 30:7-9 (The Message)
And then he prayed, "God, I'm asking for two things before I die; don't refuse me—Banish lies from my lips and liars from my presence.
Give me enough food to live on, neither too much nor too little.
If I'm too full, I might get independent, saying, 'God? Who needs him?'
If I'm poor, I might steal and dishonor the name of my God."
Observations and Applications=
I remember while taking a psychology course in high school that we were required to read a book by Dr. Thomas A. Harris, entitled I’m Ok – You’re Ok. This book taught you how to process through your self perceptions based upon what you believe other people think about you. I am not endorsing the book at all just raising an issue discussed by the book. Are you Ok with You?
The author of these verses of Proverbs asks God for two things; to live in truth and to be content. What came to my mind as I read these verses were two questions, “What makes people lie and what keeps people from being content? That’s when I thought of this book and I guess it made me ask the questions, “Am I Ok or Are You Ok?”
I lie when I need to adjust my environment or how people perceive me. That means I’m not Ok with me and really not Ok with God. Now this doesn’t mean that my situation will always be pretty, but even when I have gotten myself into a big mess it is still only my relationship with God that can make a permanent change.
When I lie I am just protecting my sin and my ego. That lie will only drive me deeper into whatever mess I find myself in. Only when I am honest with myself, with God and with others can I experience change and contentment. Honesty doesn’t immediately remove the situation but it allows God to be my source (my self worth) and the power to go through whatever must be endured. Better to be honest in who we are, no matter the struggle, than to live in disillusionment and add to the struggle.
The author of this proverb doesn’t ask for riches but contentment. He wants enough bread to remain humble and retain the truth of God as his provider. When I am not satisfied with what God has given to me I’m not Ok and God is not Ok either. (See Philippians 4:11-13)
I risk the temptation when rich to act like I am God and have pride in what I have accomplished. I have the attitude that I don’t need God.
I risk the temptation when I am poor to act like God and go out and provide for myself. I usually have the attitude that God is not good and I have to take care of myself.
I must learn to be Ok because of who I am in Christ. I must be honest with where I am in my life knowing that God is not finished with me yet. (See Philippians 1:6) When I am honest God can work in my life and he is the one who makes me Ok.
When I learn to be content with what God has given me (this is not a poverty mentality that excuses laziness) I will see how blessed I really am and will actually live to bless others. I will be Ok because I know that my God shall supply all my needs. (See Philippians 4:19)
Prayer= Lord, Thank you for your blessings to me. I want to walk in the light; in honesty with who I am in you and in what you are doing in my life. I want to be content and be a blessing to others. May I answer in honesty today about my state of being and may I be generous in my giving.
