30 Days in ProverbsSample

Proverbs 23 feels a lot like a parent sitting down with their child, passing along the kind of wisdom that comes from both love and experience. It reminds us of the beauty in honoring our parents—listening to the father who gave us life, respecting the mother who has walked faithfully through years. It’s an encouragement to pause and recognize the love and sacrifice of those who raised us.

Can I share something with you? Growing up, I didn’t always have the best relationship with my parents. Maybe you can relate. But, as the years have gone by—and maybe because I’m a mom myself now—I’ve come to see them differently. My mom is hands down one of the most patient people I’ve ever met, and I realize now how much of a gift that was to me as a child. My dad instilled in me and my siblings the importance of working hard, doing what’s right, and caring deeply about justice. I missed it for so long, but now I’m working to build the kind of relationship with them I once neglected.

Maybe this is a good moment for you to reflect on your own relationship with your parents. For some, those memories are sweet and cherished. If that’s you, praise God—it’s a gift worth celebrating. For others, though, that reflection brings pain or disappointment. If that’s where you are, can I encourage you? God is able to heal hearts and restore family dynamics. The real question is: are you open to His work in that area of your life?

This chapter also circles back to discipline and instruction, much like we saw earlier in Proverbs. Sometimes it’s hard to take advice from those older than us, but their life experiences can spare us from unnecessary heartache if we’ll just listen. There’s wisdom in slowing down and paying attention.

And then, Proverbs 23 calls us to self-control and moderation. It warns against giving in to excess—whether that’s food, alcohol, or lust. Because here’s the truth: indulgence might feel good for a moment, but in the end it enslaves. I don’t know where you’re at in your relationship with these things, but if you sense even a little bit of unhealth, let this be a reminder that God is calling you to freedom. He wants more for you than chains.

This chapter paints a picture of a life rooted in gratitude, discipline, and reverence for God. And when we live this way, we not only honor Him—we also honor the people He’s placed in our lives and walk in greater wholeness ourselves.