Proverbs 15:22 Without counsel purposes are disappointed: but in the multitude of counsellors they are established.

Do you live with disappointment? Many do. Expectations come from two points of view, realistic and unrealistic. How we are raised has much to do with our understanding of realistic expectations. The rest of us have to deal with the consequences of reality. The real world has a way of slapping you around when you have unrealistic expectations.

Much of the trouble in the world today is created by parents or guardians who raised up a generation of unrealistic expectations. There is more of it today. This problem has been growing over the decades. It has always been a problem but the consequences we see are not restricted to the disappointment of individuals. They mass together to voice their disappointment with violence born of frustration due to unrealistic expectations.

They are not taught how to deal with disappointment. They cannot overcome adversity because they have been sheltered from it because of ignorance of God’s Word, His will and His way.

Proverbs 15:31-32 The ear that heareth the reproof of life abideth among the wise. He that refuseth instruction despiseth his own soul: but he that heareth reproof getteth understanding.

They refuse to listen for they have not been taught the greater secrets.

Proverbs 15:33 The fear of the Lord is the instruction of wisdom; and before honour is humility.

They are given medals for nothing and told there is pride in losing. They never learned how to live with disappointment, to become an overcomer, to be victorious over adversity.

They make the best of life as best they can without ever dealing with their disappointment.

Proverbs 15:21 Folly is joy to him that is destitute of wisdom: but a man of understanding walketh uprightly.

Psalm 111:10 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they that do his commandments: his praise endureth for ever.

Proverbs 1:7 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.

Proverbs 9:10 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding.

You can be fearless in obeying God’s commandments. Good warriors are fearless because they know God has won and they are on the right side. This makes warriors fearless.

Thrill seekers are fearless. Some of the things they do seem insane to most of us. Those control fall glide suits where they sail past rock formations at high speeds would cause me to panic. Those people ignore cautions and despise any restrictions that might be imposed upon them. Base jumping is against the law almost everywhere.

The true object of fear of the Lord is not in obedience of command nor is it in listening to wisdom and instructions. The object of fear of the Lord is holiness.

God is loving and kind, understanding and forgiving. Many of us count on that as we live our daily lives because our primary goals in life makes holiness take a back seat to performance. How much would our lives change if we put holiness and integrity first in all we do?

We would be despised for His name sake for sure. The world would shun and shame us, in their view. What we could do however is be fearless in the presence of our God. Being holy in the presence of our Holy God removes all barriers and the purity of heart God rewards gladly without having to extend mercy and forgiveness first.

The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.