Proverbs 27:7-11 — Check your heart...is there advice there?!?!

READ THIS: Proverbs 27:7-11

7 One who is full loathes honey from the comb, but to the hungry even what is bitter tastes sweet. 8 Like a bird that flees its nest is anyone who flees from home. 9 Perfume and incense bring joy to the heart, and the pleasantness of a friend springs from their heartfelt advice. 10 Do not forsake your friend or a friend of your family, and do not go to your relative’s house when disaster strikes you— better a neighbor nearby than a relative far away. 11 Be wise, my son, and bring joy to my heart; then I can answer anyone who treats me with contempt.

WHAT’S THIS MEAN, ANYWAY?

There's a lot of good lessons in these proverbs, but they don't necessarily relate. We're going to deep dive into verse 9 because it ties into what we were learning about yesterday. Before we do that, though, we'll do a quick Liz/Dan translation of the verses in case there was something that confused you! (Remember, this is our interpretation, so always take what you understand from the actual verses more seriously than what you get from our translation).  

7 Our perspective sometimes shifts depending on our situation. What is sweet and tasty when we're hungry, can end up sounding nasty when we're stuffed. When we're starved, the nastiest things suddenly sound tasty. So, before we act on something, we should probably ask ourselves if our perspective is being influenced by our situation too much. 8 A bird belongs in its nest, and people belong in their home. They're out of place when they leave for no good reason! 9 Perfumes and such bring joy through their smell, while friends bring joy through their heartfelt advice. 10 We should be loyal to the people in our circles near and far, but we also need to know when we should rely on the people closest to us physically, even if they're not the closest to us emotionally. 11 When we act wisely, that is the best way we can please our parents. When sons/daughters please their parents, it is easier for parents to deal with other people because a lot of times what they care about most is their kids anyway.

Alrighty, if you have any questions on those verses, comment below! Otherwise, let's talk more about verse 9. Why does a friend bring joy through heartfelt advice? First of all, what even is heartfelt advice? That phrase describes when someone gives their opinion/criticism/feedback/encouragement out of a place of desperately wanting to help. Friends are in a unique position in our lives where they aren't in a mentor/superior role to us where it's kind of required they give feedback, and they also tend to know us in the most unique and intimate ways. When we have trouble, they are the ones who are there, and it is encouraging to the heart when a friend tries to help. They aren't required to by society, but they do anyway, and it brings the greatest joy. 

THINK ABOUT IT:

1.  Who has helped you and you didn't expect it at all? 

2. Do you feel like YOU are the kind of friend who gives heart felt advice?

TRY THIS:
 
Yesterday, you gave someone encouragement. Today, you will give someone heartfelt advice!!! It is only heartfelt if you have ACTUALLY been thinking about it. If you have no advice for anyone in your life and you'd have to make something up to complete this challenge, then DO NOT do it! We want heartfelt advice, not forced advice. If you don't have any for now, just use this as a time to pray and ask God if HE has any heartfelt advice for YOU!

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