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This is Proverb Pic, the daily devotional newsletter that helps Christians become wiser in 2 minutes a day.

Proverb of the day

Proverb Pic

Meditation

Proverbs 22:13 warns us about the dangers of exaggeration. The fool looks at life and sees the problems and threats that can impact their situation and over exaggerates them. This is a limiting belief that holds them back from accomplishing God's purpose in their life. The wise person accurately assesses the risk of the situation, and evaluate whether or not, it is wise to move forward. Most of the time the wise can see how minimal the actual threat is, and is more likely to move forward in life. At first glance, this might be interpreted as a warning against laziness; the "sluggard" or lazy person, uses an exaggeration – a lion in the public square – as an excuse to avoid work or responsibility. However, this verse is not just about physical laziness, but also about the mental state that fosters exaggeration and breeds fear.

This scripture warns us about the dangers of allowing our fears to grow disproportionately to the realities we face. The fool, as portrayed in this verse, lets their imagination magnify potential problems to such a degree that they become paralyzed by fear. This fool sees life through the lens of anxiety, overestimating threats and underestimating their own ability to cope with these potential challenges. This form of self-deception can often prevent individuals from realizing God's purpose for their lives because they are too consumed by imagined dangers to act.

The verse contrasts the fool with the wise individual, who does not allow themselves to be overwhelmed by irrational fears. The wise person engages in accurate risk assessment, making a realistic evaluation of the challenges they may face. They can distinguish between legitimate threats and those that are products of their imagination or exaggerated by anxiety. They can discern whether it is prudent to proceed with a course of action or if there is real danger that warrants caution.

The wise person understands that life always comes with risks. The presence of risk does not automatically mean that they should not proceed. Most of the time, the wise person can see that the actual threat is far smaller than what the fool perceives. They do not allow fear to paralyze them but, instead, use it as a tool to evaluate situations and make informed decisions.

This kind of wisdom allows individuals to move forward in life, not recklessly, but with courage and discernment. They understand that overcoming challenges is part of fulfilling God's purpose in their lives. They trust in God's providence and are not easily swayed by imagined threats.

Thus, Proverbs 22:13 is a call to wisdom, to realistic evaluation of risks, and to courage in the face of life's challenges. It warns us against the self-imposed limitations that come from exaggeration and irrational fear. It encourages us to trust in God's guidance and to move forward with wisdom and discernment.

Prayer

Lord, help us to see risk clearly. Help us to make wise choices. If God is for us who can be against us?

Application question

What might you be over-exaggerating as an excuse to hide behind?

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