We tend to be so over-stimulated with social media and material things that we become addicted to them. There is health in stepping away and finding contentment as a habit. Developing a habit of gratitude and thankfulness makes our hearts healthy and strong.

Psalm 23:3 says, “He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake.” When we read or hear the words ‘He restores my soul,’ we are reminded of the comfort only God can provide. He listens to our cries, sees our anger and frustration, and hears every word we utter. When we feel the weight of life is too hard, we can go to the Father. He will restore our soul. He will comfort us. He will collect every tear of pain. He is the God who restores!

Jesus’s birth offers us peace in the middle of our difficulties and stresses. Peace is not the absence of conflict; it is the presence of Christ. The heavenly angels told the shepherds that peace was coming to the earth for those on whom God’s favor rested. What a shocking message! God’s favor was even on the shepherds who lived on the fringe of society. They were being offered peace; and if it could be given to them, we can rest assured it is offered to us as well.

Will we insist on standing only in the winds of social media? Or will we invite the Spirit to breathe new life into us? Let us choose which current of wind we will daily allow to shape our souls and affect our lives.

The wisdom of Proverbs shows us that we are wise to be careful what we allow in, and God shows us that there is no damage done that He cannot restore. Our hearts are the center of our being. The attitudes that we allow in are directly correlated to the people we become. Living with wisdom means that we are very careful about the things we listen to, watch, and consume.