Proverbs 27:17 KJV[17] Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend.
Whether you like it or not, you are the average of the number of people you regularly interact with. “Surround yourself with really good people. I think that’s an important thing. Because the people you surround yourself with influence your behavior, so choose friends who have healthy habits” (Dan Buettner).
Ecclesiastes 4:16 KJV[16] There is no end of all the people, even of all that have been before them: they also that come after shall not rejoice in him. Surely this also is vanity and vexation of spirit.
When we go through problems it is easy to think we are the only ones with that issue. When we consider that millions have come before us who have struggled through holocausts, world wars, etc., in the grand scheme of things, the things we go through are not unique. Whatever happens, good or bad, we have to have a good attitude. “If…the world is full of seven billion people, that means there are seven thousand people just like you” (Jeff Goins).
Matthew 13:54-55 KJV[54] they were astonished, and said, Whence hath this man this wisdom, and these mighty works? [55] Is not this the carpenter’s son? is not his mother called Mary? and his brethren, James, and Joses, and Simon, and Judas?
We all know we should not care what people think, but when a number of people say the same negative thing to or about your life it can become difficult to ignore. However, the crowd is not always right. “If 50 million people say something foolish, it is still foolish” (W. Somerset Maugham).
Luke 8:37,40 KJV[37] Then the…Gadarenes round about besought him to depart from them;
[40] And it came to pass, that, when Jesus was returned, the people gladly received him: for they were all waiting for him.
Life is such that not everyone will be able to accept you or contain you in their lives. Focus on those who appreciate you and release the rest. “You can please some of the people all of the time, you can please all of the people some of the time, but you can’t please all of the people all of the time” (John Lydgate).
1 Kings 11:2-3 KJV[2] for surely they will turn away your heart after their gods: Solomon clave unto these in love. [3] And he had seven hundred wives, princesses, and three hundred concubines: and his wives turned away his heart.
They say wisdom is the application of knowledge. What then is the application of wisdom? What was the use of Solomon’s wisdom at the end of his life? The opposite of wisdom is not always foolishness, but a bad character. “Wisdom is an achievement when it’s connected to other virtues — fidelity, courage, integrity, etc” (Cecili Chadwick).
Matthew 25:35 KJV[35] For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in:
Christianity is more practical than theoretical and must spill out from us as individuals to the society as a whole. Christianity is not about not missing any church service and paying tithes, but a practical way of life even outside the physical church. The benefits of serving an unseen God must touch the people we do see. “All we can take with us to heaven is what we leave behind in the lives we touch” (Barbara Johnson).
Ecclesiastes 9:7 KJV[7] Go thy way, eat thy bread with joy, and drink thy wine with a merry heart; for God now accepteth thy works.
“This verse is not intended as justification for any careless decision that we make. But it does speak about God’s love for us and His desire for us to enjoy ourselves. If you’ve made a new year’s resolution or life decision in prayer and in keeping with God’s Word, then according to this verse, you now have permission to relax and enjoy the results of your decision” (Grace Robinson).
