Stress and Digestion (Proverbs 17:1)

Peace is such a wonderful thing. Peace brings about a better life.

"Better is a dry morsel with quietness than a house full of feasting (on offered sacrifices0 with strife." Proverbs 17:1, Amplified

Which would you rather have, a full belly or a peaceful night? The dry morsel is the better choice for the human being for a couple of different reasons. First realize, however, that it is a dry morsel and not crumbs. The dry morsel would be something that could satisfy the body and give it the nutrients it needs, but be just a little bland. Peacefulness is great for the digestive system. Strife, or stress, would only be detrimental not only to the experience of the dinner, but our health as well. In an article published in CVS Caremark in June 2009, Chris Woolston wrote, "The impact of stress on the stomach goes far beyond indigestion... In recent years, doctors have uncovered a remarkably complex connection between the brain and the digestive system. The entire system is extremely sensitive to our moods. In fact, experts now see that stress is a major player in a wide range of digestive problems including irritable bowel syndrome, indigestion and heartburn."

It is better for the body to eat in peace. As long as the bodies need for nutrients is met, what more is needed? To be satisfied with a feast for the thirty minutes to an hour it takes to eat it is not worth the lifetime of digestive problems.

Peace (Proverbs 16:7)

The Lord rewards those who are in line with His will.

"When a man's ways please the Lord, He makes even his enemies be at peace with him." Proverbs 16:7, Amplified

This verse is so simple put that there is no real digging to be done. Not every verse in the Bible needs a spelunker to go into the depths of its meaning.

When we are walking in the will of the Lord, He gives us peace. This peace in not only internal but external as well. Though king David was a man of blood, his son Solomon had peace for his reign because his ways pleased the Lord at the beginning. In reading the book of Judges, we find that the children of Israel were brought under subjection to a Gentile when they strayed from the Lord. But as they turned their hearts back to the Lord, He caused a judge to rise up and give His people peace.

Peace can only come from God. Walk in the ways of the Lord and He will give you peace. Peace can only come from God. Heed His voice and He will give you peace. Peace can come only from God. Avoid sin and He will give you peace. Please the Lord and He will give you peace. How do we please the Lord? There is no secret to pleasing the Lord; He is not a cryptic God who speaks in riddles. He only wants us to walk in His ways and heed His voice and avoid sin. If there is another way that you can think of that will please the Lord in your life and walk, then do it; please the Lord today.

Wrath (Proverbs 14:29)

In the past decade, the escalation of wrath has been phenomenal. Children dying at the hands of angry parents. The introduction of the term "Road Rage". One of the signs of a Christian is he who is slow to anger. It is an attribute of God. The Lord has had almost 2,000 years since the death and resurrection of Jesus to destroy the world, but we are still here despite the proverbial spit in the face.

"He who is slow to anger has great understanding, but he who is hasty of spirit exposes and exalts his folly." Proverbs 14:29, Amplified

I know that for myself, there have been some times where I have gotten angry at something simply because I did not fully understand what was going on. If I had remained calm and asked one or two more questions, or let someone explain what was going on, I would have never looked like the idiot. Patience allows for one to fully envelope his surrounding s and understand what is going on and calculate a response. James encourages Christians of the same thing, "So then, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath; for the wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God." (James 1:19-20, NKJV)

I encourage anyone who may have this issue in their lives to pray to the Lord and find a way to manage the anger. Hastiness is never from the Lord. Wrath is not becoming of God. Peace and patience are two attributes that never left Jesus' side. I used to be that man who was hasty in his anger, but it was because of unexposed sin in my own life. I this is the case for you, confess it quickly. If not, pray that the Lord would lead the quest of self discovery and become a better man (or woman) because of it.