A Peaceful Heart

I recently read the Bible verse from Proverbs 14:30 and I was interested to see how it was translated in other versions of the Bible.

Proverbs 14:30
TLB: A relaxed attitude lengthens a man’s life.

RSV: A tranquil mind gives life to the flesh, but passion makes the bones rot.

NIV: A heart at peace gives life to the body, but envy rots the bones.

NLT: A peaceful heart leads to a healthy body; jealousy is like cancer in the bones.

THE MESSAGE: A sound mind makes for a robust body, but runaway emotions corrode the
bones.

Boy, doesn’t that New Living Translation (NLT) really hit it home for you? As many of us are making New Year’s Resolutions for a healthier lifestyle, isn’t this just the best way to start? As someone who used to work in Hospice, cancer of the bones is one of the most painful and most difficult to treat of all the cancers. God has put jealousy into that same category. How many times this week have you been jealous of what your friend got as a gift for Christmas? How many times have you been jealous of someone else’s home, career, car, schedule, lifestyle? I could go on and on. I know that I have been jealous on numerous occasions and this has really knocked me in the head this week.

So, going back to my original resolution, if you have peace in your heart, you will feel better, look better, and everyone around you will feel the warmth of your heart. Wouldn’t that be a great way to start the new year?