When you think of the word integrity, what normally comes to your mind? Most people think of someone who is honest or someone of strong character. They'll describe a person who will keep their word no matter what happens! These are very accurate descriptions of what we understand integrity to mean, but recently I discovered the word integrity also means to be undamaged, intact, without cracks and soundness. The word integrity is often used to describe the undamaged condition of a building after great stress has been placed upon it. This opened up to me new understanding of a "person of integrity."

In Job 2:9, after the start of terrible tragedies in his life, Job's wife said to him, "Dost thou still retain thine integrity? curse God, and die." Job said her comments were foolish! Why didn't Job curse God? The answer was he had integrity. He was sound, intact, undamaged and without cracks on the inside. He refused to bow to the temptation to curse God because he was intact and undamaged in his heart. That strength caused him to control his reaction to a horrible situation. It controlled his words despite the ungodly pressure he was experiencing.

Proverbs 11:3 tells us that integrity will "guide us." Let it be the tool the Holy Ghost uses to lead you down the right path. Have a great week!

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