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written by Stephan Joubert

Did you know that more people die annually across the globe as a result of coconuts falling on their heads, than of shark attacks? Really! The shark-researcher, George Burgess, found that around 150 people die annually as a result of coconuts falling on their heads. That’s 15 times more than all the people who die annually due to shark attacks. People get anxiety attacks when watching movies like Jaws, and sit frozen in front of National Geographic’s shark programs, but no-one would take a movie like Killer Coconut Tree seriously.

It’s funny how faulty perceptions can be formed and how easily we drink them in like lemonade on a hot day. That’s why we should be careful not to be taken on tow by the media, text messages, emails, and even some religious folk. The Proverbs teach us to continuously think about life, and to be careful. We’re not allowed to storm blindly into any situation, or believe every new rumor that’s making the rounds. Listen again, don’t believe every carrier of damning news. Don’t lend your ears to people who say: “Have you heard what this or that church leader has done this time?” or similar stories.

Always protect the integrity of other people. It’s your calling as a Christian to first believe the very best of other people, like 1 Corinthians 13 teaches. Listen again, the Lord expects you to honor, serve and respect fellow-believers and other people. Don’t summarily believe perceptions. What does faith help if you play along with the rest of the world’s game of gossip, suspicion spreading and breaking down? Don’t live with a critical heart in 2010 — it’ll make you spiritually sick. Rather practice yourself as a thinking, careful believer that lives with God’s wisdom.

Prayer guidelines

• Ask the Lord to give you some of his wisdom today.
• Read James 1 where he says that the Lord gives wisdom to anyone who asks for it. But then we should accept and embrace it without doubt.
• Read the Proverbs this week and learn a few new wisdom principles.