Harnessing Your Emotions
Andrew Wommack
While the Book of Proverbs is mostly a collection of proverbial statements, or mortal dictates, many times seemingly random in their organization and presentation; nonetheless, in the case of Proverbs chapter 11, there is at least one discernable theme: that of the blessings due to the righteous, as contrasted with the punishments coming to the wicked. Hence, chapter 11 informs us that "The desire of the righteous ends only in good; and the expectation of the wicked ends in wrath." (Proverb 11:23)
In today's verse, that theme is continued. The proverbist tells us that, as we give, we will receive, and as we help others, we really help ourselves. In essence, we are in control of our destinies. We get to choose what comes into our lives by what we send out into the world. We get to decide if we will help others, and we determine the person we will become as we resolve to help others—thereby developing our character and ultimate destiny.
The 19th century British novelist, Charles Reade, noted: "Sow a thought, and you reap an act; Sow and act, and you reap a habit; Sow a habit and you reap a character; Sow a character, and you reap a destiny." Our character, our nature, and even our future is very much in our own hands. Will we give? Will we help? Will we allow this divine pattern to work in our lives, blessing, building, and changing us? It is all for us to decide.