Proverbs 28:12
When the righteous triumph, there is great elation; but when the wicked rise to power, people go into hiding.
Proverbs Daily is a reader-supported publication. All posts are free, but all donations help spread the message. When you see the word “upgrade,” you’re simply invited to help me make the sacred positively contagious...thank you in advance for becoming a free or paid subscriber.
I once heard a retired psychiatrist say something that changed how I read wisdom texts.
He said: “When you dream, most of the characters in your dream aren’t other people. They’re different parts of you.”
Different faces.
Same soul.
That stuck with me.
And sometimes, when I read Proverbs, I read it the same way.
Not just as commentary about society… but as a mirror for my own inner world.
Because if I’m honest—
the fool lives in me.
The wise one also lives in me.
The disciplined one.
The reckless.
The patient AND the petty one.
They all want the wheel.
And Proverbs 28:12 hits different when you read it that way:
“When the righteous triumph, there is great elation; but when the wicked rise to power, people go into hiding.”
When the right part of you wins— the grounded part, the honest part, the part that thinks past tonight—
something lifts.
Your chest opens. Your breath deepens. Your spirit says, “Ahhh… this feels like me.”
That’s elation.
But when the lower part takes the throne— the shortcut part, the reactive part, the part that wants what it wants and want it right now—
other parts seem to disappear.
Your courage ducks. Your long-term vision goes quiet. Your better instincts step back into the shadows.
You might feel satisfied for a second… but something inside knows:
“This is not who I really want to be.”
That’s why the proverb says people go into hiding…Do you see it now–not strangersNot neighbors…parts of you.
THE DOG YOU FEED
You’ve probably heard it said this way: “There are two dogs inside you. The one you feed is the one that wins.”
Proverbs just says it with more poetry.
When your higher self leads, your whole inner world celebrates.
When your lower self gets unchecked power, your best parts go underground.
And wisdom is not gonna beat you up for that.
It’s just asking the question:
Who’s in charge today?
Because when the right part of you rises, your whole soul breathes easier.
🔥 REMEMBER
When your best self leads, the rest of you comes out of hiding.
Prayer
Lord, let my truest self rise and guide me today.
Today’s Challenge
Pause once before a decision and ask yourself: “Which part of me is about to take the lead?”
Then choose the part that brings elation, not exile.
About the Author
Fred Lynch is a creative communicator, author, and Christian Hip Hop pioneer. To learn more about Fred and what he’s up to now…click here or you can find him in all the socials by searching the handle: heyfredlynch
📱Experience Proverbs Daily by Subscribing!
Ready to receive daily wisdom directly on your phone?
Go to proverbsdaily.org for the app or just click that Subscribe button right now!
Be Wise and Be Well...peace.
Thanks for reading Proverbs Daily! This post is public so feel free to share it.
