Job 17:4

Since You have hidden understanding from their hearts,

   You will not receive glory from them.

The book I am studying has a chapter how to build better habits in four simple steps, so we know the author is not a preacher, as it would have only three if he was. He quotes a guy who says that habits are solutions to recurring problems. Like how I fix all my typos when the computer points them out. I am following my daily routine for the first time step by step and I hope to make it a habit by following it enough. The big point of the book is that we can create our habits by repeating the behavior we choose.

 ‘Hidden’ was also ‘closed their minds’ and ‘hidden their hearts’.

‘Receive glory from them’ was also ‘not exalt them’, ‘not let them rise’, and ‘not let them triumph’. ‘Not let them’ rise was denoted as a literal translation.

My two biggest struggles are overeating and not exercising; hence while I always seem fat and out of shape. One of my biggest struggles in overcoming these issues has been prioritizing other things like working or doing nothing over them. Just yesterday I said out loud that I am choosing to exercise before work, even if that means not starting work at 8 am. Of course, it helps when I get to bed on time, sleep through the night, and wake up on time. I think that is called stacking habits. Although the sleeping through the night is harder than just saying it.

I also have decided to cut off most of my social media while I make this transition. I have been social, and I have learned some things from it, but the time involved is too great, and the crap you have to wade through to get there is too much. Maybe one year I will learn AI and have free access to it such that it can find only the news and tidbits I want. I do miss a lot of what the big kid posts on social media, but I am still learning. One of the things many people want to do is learn what they want to do with their lives.

I know that there are only two things worthwhile in living. The first is finding salvation through Jesus Christ. I have that as do my wife and kids, so not a lot left of my own desires to keep on motivating me. The second is to bring glory to God. That really is all I have left to live for, and it is more than enough reason to live and live as abundantly as I can. As the verse says, God has hidden the understanding of this from the hearts of many, and it is upon to those of us who do understand to bring God all the glory we can. We need to be out loving others and sharing why. Day one in trying to do so better than before.

Written 9/3/25, Posted 9/17/25, Job 400/~1070