Incline your ear

“Incline your ear and hear my words, and apply your heart to my doctrine; for it will be well if you keep them in your bosom, if they all are ready on your lips.” Prov. 22: 17-18

I think this verse from Proverbs sums up what God has been doing in me, especially over the past few months. God has shown me that, if I want to grow as a Christian and be better at sharing my faith, I need to spend more time reading and studying God’s word and the teachings of the Church. I also need to spend more time in prayer, listening to God.

I especially like the part of this verse that talks about keeping God’s words in my bosom, so that they are ready on my lips. I’ve been trying to work on memorizing Scriptures, so that I can call them to mind when I need them. Thus, when I find myself in a stressful situation, I remind myself that “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” (Phil. 4:13) and “My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth” (Psalm 121:2). When I become angry, I remember, “Be angry but do not sin; do not let the sun set on your anger, and do not leave room for the devil.” (Eph. 4:26)