Like a flitting sparrow, like a flying swallow, So a curse without cause shall not alight.

-Proverbs 26:2, KJV

May all who gloat over my distress
    be put to shame and confusion;
may all who exalt themselves over me
    be clothed with shame and disgrace.

-Psalm 35:26, NIV

My former father-in-law acted in very arrogant and nasty ways at the end of my marriage to his daughter.

One of those ways was to curse me professionally. I will never forget the “man up” speech he gave me as he drove me to my job as a coffee barista. It was a nasty little speech.

“I talked with [MIL], and we agree your [M.DIV. from Yale University] is worthless. Your best hope is to work your way up in a company [from stocking orders in the backroom].”

Something to that effect was delivered.

It was a curse.

Yet it did not alight as the Proverbs 26:4 states.

Looking back, I can see how my life experiences (including that one) have prepared me for my current position. Plus, I would not have the excellent, government job I have today without my Masters degree. It was and is far from worthless!

I want to encourage you with the truth from Proverbs 26:4. You may have experienced your own version of the “man up” or “woman up” speech from hostile sources.

Fear not!

God will not allow those curses to alight as this verse instructs us.

 

______

*A version of this post ran previously.