H is for HEALTH and H is for HAMPERED

People always say that the most important asset in life is their own good HEALTH.  I beg to differ, but that is what they say. And the next thing? They do not want to be HAMPERED. Well, I've never ever heard anybody say that, but these are the "good" and "bad" H words for today's A to Z Challenge, so please just play along.

Do you want a great promise to hold close? Before you answer, consider the fact that it does come with a few conditions.

1) You can't "be wise in your own eyes."
     This might be tough for more than a few of us.

2) You will have to "fear the Lord."
     We have talked about this theme before but yes, to receive the promise mentioned above, you will have to give it a go.
and

3) You will have to do your best to "shun evil"!
     Another toughy, but here is the vital and coveted prize so valued by so many:

Do not be wise in your own eyes;

fear the Lord and shun evil.

This will bring health to your body

and nourishment to your bones.

Proverbs 3:7,8

Good health and strong bones are in the offing.  Go for it!

The promises continue here in chapter four, but a couple of good things there are framed as a lack of bad things. These couple of bad things will be missing from the lives of those who "listen" to the Lord, and "hold on" to His instruction.

When you walk, your steps will not be hampered;

when you run, you will not stumble.

Proverbs 4:12

We all have come to understand exactly how this works.  We have been children under authority or we have been the authority (or both), so there is no big mystery.  When a kid doesn't listen to his folks, trouble follows! Either they suffer the plain and natural consequences of not following some safekeeping instruction, or they are directly punished for the disobedience. But when they, or we, choose to obey instead, life seems to flow so much better, without stumbling, and without being HAMPERED.

"I know, Lord, how easy it is to think I am so wise, and to listen to my own voice telling my own self how smart and all knowing I myself am. Help me instead to recognize that YOU have the wisdom, and then to seek it!"

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