The Tree of my Life (Proverbs)
Fruit/Foliage = My Emotions
Branches = My Attitudes
Trunk = My Motives
“Guard your “heart”
Roots = My Beliefs about God
“Fear the Lord, Trust in the Lord”
• Do I seek to express my
emotions according to godly
attitudes, motives and beliefs?
• Am I training my mind to be
teachable, generous,
content, positive, etc.?
• Have I settled that my true
desire is to please God?
• Do I indeed believe that
God is Worthy of my
worship and Trustworthy
with my life?
Fear/Worship of God – A root issue
• (Proverbs 9:10) "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of
•
•
•
•
wisdom, = WISE CHOICES, BETTER OUTCOMES
(Proverbs 14:27) The fear of the LORD is a fountain of
life, turning a man from the snares of death. = SAFETY
and HEALTH
(Proverbs 16:6) Through the fear of the LORD a man
avoids evil. = SINFUL MISTAKES
(Proverbs 19:23) The fear of the LORD leads to life: Then
one rests content, untouched by trouble. AT PEACE, NO
FEAR OF CONSEQUENCES
(Proverbs 28:14) Blessed is the man who always fears
the LORD, but he who hardens his heart falls into trouble.
= GOD’S BLESSING
Trusting in the Lord – A root issue
• (Proverbs 3:5-8) Trust in the LORD with all your heart
and lean not on your own understanding; {6} in all
your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your
paths straight.
• (Proverbs 11:28) Whoever trusts in his riches will fall,
but the righteous will thrive like a green leaf.
• (Proverbs 16:20) Blessed is he who trusts in the LORD.
• (Proverbs 28:25-26) …He who trusts in the LORD will
prosper. {26} He who trusts in himself is a fool.
The Tree of my Life (Proverbs)
Fruit/Foliage = My Emotions
Branches = My Attitudes
Trunk = My Motives
“Guard your “heart”
Roots = My Beliefs about God
“Fear the Lord, Trust in the Lord”
• Do I seek to express my
emotions according to godly
attitudes, motives and beliefs?
• Am I training my mind to be
teachable, generous,
content, positive, etc.?
• Have I settled that my true
desire is to please God?
• Do I indeed believe that
God is Worthy of my
worship and Trustworthy
with my life?
Infecting others with our good attitude
• (Proverbs 12:25) An anxious heart weighs a man
down, but a kind word cheers him up.
• (Proverbs 15:23) A man finds joy in giving an apt
reply-- and how good is a timely word!
• (Proverbs 15:30) A cheerful look brings joy to the
heart, and good news gives health to the bones.
Attitude
“The longer I live, the more I realize the impact of
attitude on life. Attitude.. is more important than the
past, the education, the money, than circumstances,
than failure, than successes, than what other people
think or say or do. It is more important than appearance,
giftedness or skill. It will make or break a company... a
church... a home. The remarkable thing is we have a
choice everyday regarding the attitude we will embrace
for that day. We cannot change our past... we cannot
change the fact that people will act in a certain way. We
cannot change the inevitable. The only thing we can do
is play on the one string we have, and that is our
attitude. I am convinced that life is 10% what happens
to me and 90% of how I react to it. We are in charge of
our Attitudes.”
• Chuck Swindoll, Pastor
The Tree of my Life (Proverbs)
Fruit/Foliage = My Emotions
Branches = My Attitudes
Trunk = My Motives
“Guard your “heart”
Roots = My Beliefs about God
“Fear the Lord, Trust in the Lord”
• Do I seek to express my
emotions according to godly
attitudes, motives and beliefs?
• Am I training my mind to be
teachable, generous,
content, positive, etc.?
• Have I settled that my true
desire is to please God?
• Do I indeed believe that
God is Worthy of my
worship and Trustworthy
with my life?
Emotions and Circumstances
• Good News – (Proverbs 15:30) A cheerful look brings joy
to the heart, and good news gives health to the bones.
• Foolish Children (Proverbs 17:21) To have a fool for a
son brings grief; there is no joy for the father of a fool.
• Good things and good friends (Proverbs 27:9) Perfume
and incense bring joy to the heart, and the pleasantness
of one's friend springs from his earnest counsel.
Emotions and Choices
• Cooperative People (Proverbs 12:20) There is
…joy for those who promote peace.
• Parenting faithfulness (Proverbs 29:17)
Discipline your son, and he will give you peace;
he will bring delight to your soul.
• Addiction choices (Proverbs 23:29-30) Who has
woe? Who has sorrow? … {30} Those who
linger over wine.
Transforming our Emotions
1. We can control how we express emotions (15:1;
16:32; 29:11)
• (Proverbs 29:11) A fool gives full vent to his anger, but a
wise man keeps himself under control.
2. Joy is the outcome of godly motives and choices
(10:28; 12:20).
• (Proverbs 10:28) The prospect of the righteous is joy…
3. My attitudes and emotions can help me
overcome circumstances (15:13-15; 17:22;
18:14).
• (Proverbs 15:13,15) A happy heart makes the face
cheerful… {15} All the days of the oppressed are
wretched, but the cheerful heart has a continual feast.