“Better is a dry morsel, and quietness therewith, than an house full of sacrifices with strife” (Proverbs 17:1).

How is this kind of peace, rest, and quietness acquired?

And would I really accept that as a trade-in for having all kinds of stuff?

“Better poor and happy” sounds nice.

Well, the happy part does.

I think I’m scared of poverty. I do not wish for it.

Of course, this verse doesn’t guarantee “poor=happy” — it just says that being poor and happy is a better condition than having lots of stuff along with conflict.

Oh, give me peace, rest, and quietness!

Some events require preparation. I would not want to teach a class or present a speech without preparing. Neither would I want to go unprepared to a business session, a board meeting, or a person-to-person confrontation.

To one degree or another, all the above events require more than having written or mental notes. They demand a certain state of heart and mind.

How do I make that kind of preparation?

Know God. Consult His Word. Pray. Yield to Him. Live for Him.

That’s some of what I get from this:

“The preparations of the heart in man, and the answer of the tongue, is from the LORD” (Proverbs 16:1).

That would also stand me in very good stead for those unanticipated, unplanned events for which I cannot prepare specifically.