Tools

We live in a world of skeptics. I am one of them. I question people’s motives, including my own. I doubt others until there is clear proof they are sincere. I often see a larger world that does not care about me, that can be hostile and might even be a threat. My tool box of skills and resources to deal with life are meager. Nothing is certain except death and taxes and this morning, for the record, coffee cup in hand, I don’t like this bit of wisdom from the Bible I am reading:

The righteousness of the upright will be their salvation, but the false will themselves be taken in their evil designs. Proverbs 11:6 (BBE)

One version renders this, “the goodness of good people rescues them.”

This verse wants to force me out of my funk.

So there is one more thing to do to get control over my sorry fate, and I may have to give up some of my best, go-to ideas to do so. I must give up being able to mislead, connive, and coerce. Twisting facts to suit my needs, using people to further my status and not hearing cries for help when I can do something, they need to go. I must do good things. In effect I must face life’s greater dangers with fewer tools. Those left over will have to be enough.

No, this Bible verse is not a blanket promise that being good will spare me from all of life’s ills. That is not what it wants to say and yes, I can also pray. It reminds me though, that simple goodness counts for much if I want a better destiny. At times it may be all I need.

Humph.

And I so enjoyed feeling sorry for myself.