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Which word best describes your outlook on life today? Complacent? Panicked? Peaceful? Sometimes we conclude that we have everything under control. Other times, life seems to spin out of control. We get so disturbed that we perpetually live in a state of anxiety or panic. A spectrum between the two might look like this.

Complacency---------------------------------Panic.

So consider Proverbs 1:32-33. “For the simple are killed by their turning away, and the complacency of fools destroys them; but whoever listens to me will dwell secure and will be at ease, without dread of disaster.”

This proverb declares that the complacency of fools destroys them. We can think we have everything out of control. Then tragedy strikes or a loved one dies or serious illness comes into our family or financial ruin overtakes us. The “I have it all under control” foundation crumbles. Complacency eventually destroys.

The opposite extreme recognizes the reality of much beyond our control. Yet it goes further and declares, “Everything is out of control.” So life moves from one disaster to the next. Peace can happen only if everything is going well.

Yet it’s possible to live in the healthy middle.
Complacency----------Peace------------Panic.

“Whoever listens to me (Wisdom-God) will dwell secure and will be at ease, without dread of disaster.” Instead of “I have everything under control” or “Everything is out of control,” we focus on “God is in control.” So listening to him, dwelling in His presence and resting in His promises avoids the unhealthy extremes. I pray you can find peace in Him today.

“Lord, we can love the self-sufficient feeling that comes when life goes well. Or we can live in perpetual fear when life goes wrong. Help us instead to lean on You in all situations and discover the “peace that transcends all understanding to guard our hearts and minds.”