Life is full of ups and downs. Some of these can be extreme, but most are not. I'm thankful for that.
I'm also thankful for the hills and valleys of life. It would get pretty boring and monotonous without these, like an unending treadmill to nowhere.
Still, some people seem to experience triumph to tragedy cycles of mood swings. They seem stuck on a never-ending, emotional rollercoaster. Then there are those who exhibit extreme attitudes and behaviors. All these extremes create tensions that can't be sustained for long.
Life is a lot harder when you go from one extreme to another.
Scripture
Wisdom is as good as an inheritance. It is an advantage to everyone who sees the sun. Wisdom protects us just as money protects us, but the advantage of wisdom is that it gives life to those who have it. Consider what God has done! Who can straighten what God has bent? [vss 11-13]
When times are good, be happy. But when times are bad, consider this: God has made the one time as well as the other so that mortals cannot predict their future. I have seen it all in my pointless life: Righteous people die in spite of being righteous. Wicked people go on living in spite of being wicked. [vss 14-15]
Don’t be too virtuous, and don’t be too wise. Why make yourself miserable? Don’t be too wicked, and don’t be a fool. Why should you die before your time is up? It’s good to hold on to the one and not let go of the other, because the one who fears God will be able to avoid both extremes. [vss 16-18]
(Ecclesiastes 7:11-18 GW) [Context– Ecclesiastes 7]
Key phrase—Wisdom is as good as an inheritance.
[bctt tweet="Wisdom is as good as an inheritance."]
Digging Deeper...
Review the Scriptures above as you answer the following questions
What are we told about wisdom? Why is it valuable?
In what way do good and bad experiences keep us from predicting the future?
What are we told about the righteous and wicked? Does this seem unfair to you?
What would help us avoid being too virtuous or too wicked? How does this help?
Reflection...
Religion and philosophy are often taken to extremes. In a philosophy class, taking a thought to an extreme point happens a lot. Sometimes this is exercised as if it was an olympic sport.
Religions are filled with radicals—people who take a belief well beyond its original intent. Of course, what's seen as radical or fanatical by one person is acceptable to another. Even Jesus was branded as too radical by the religious leaders of His time on earth.
How can we keep from going to extremes? We need a center point. We need something to ground and guide us. This is the benefit of godly fear.
When we see God for who He is—all-knowing, ever-present, almighty, and eternal—we gain perspective. It keeps us humble and wise (Proverbs 9:10). It will also help keep us from going from one extreme to another.
Make it personal...
Read through the Scripture text again as you consider and answer these questions
Does your life seem like a treadmill or rollercoaster? If so, have you discovered why this is so?
How do you handle the ups and downs of life? How much does it bother you when things don't go as planned?
Does it bother you when some people seem to get away with wrong doing, while others who seem innocent and good suffer?
What's your understanding of the fear of God? Does God fill your heart with awe and wonder?