A Tranquil Heart

 

A tranquil heart gives life to the flesh, but envy makes the bones rot. (Proverbs 14:30 ESV).

 

Just downstream from the cabin Mary and I stayed in while in Pigeon Forge several years ago was a drop in the stream that created a beautiful pool of water. I’ve attached a picture of the spot. In those calmer, deeper waters, I found a few fish that were willing to bite the fly that I presented while fishing. It was both exhilarating and calming at the same time. Thinking of that summer morning brought me to today’s reading. It’s interesting that peace is contrasted with envy in this proverb. We usually think of peace as the opposite of war, strife, disunity, or conflict.

 

Solomon uses an interesting word when he talks about “the tranquil heart.” It is a reference to a quiet heart. What he is saying here is that this person's heart is strong and quiet. Their inner life is like the clear, mirror-like, state of the water in the early morning on a lake, like the pool at the drop-off in this stream. This person's peace and calm is not disturbed by things that happen around it.

 

Envy destroys that peace. “Envy” means being deeply resentful toward someone because they have something that you dearly want. Maybe it’s wealth, a fine car, good looks, popularity, power, or some other advantage or privilege that you don’t have. Envy drives people to obsess over their great longing, sometimes even to the point of harming the person who has what they want, or destroying what the person has so that they can’t have it. A person who is consumed with envy has no peace in their heart. Their inner turmoil can affect their health and well-being so much that, as the proverb says, it “rots the bones.”

 

James tells us, “Where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice. But the wisdom that comes from heaven is peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit.” (James 3:16-17). Full life is found in Jesus alone. Trust Him to always work for your good and give you everything you need. Then you will have a tranquil heart.