Tag: wisdom

Wisdom’s Counsel

~ Barbara ~ 1 Comment

I loved reading the first nine chapters of Proverbs…and then came the remaining 22! The lists of insights, warnings, and wise sayings seemed repetitive, but I held fast and something changed. I began looking forward to my daily reading. I felt like I was making deposits of wisdom into the bank of my heart. Here are a few gleanings I hold precious.

  • Store up God’s Word—keep adding to what you already know.
  • Be attentive, listen—ask the Spirit to teach you and wait for His wisdom
  • Desire understanding—embrace curiosity and maintain an inquisitive heart.
  • Search for insight—don’t be content with partial truth, be hungry for more.
  • Treasure wisdom—make it your chief desire and your greatest joy.

I want to understand God, His will, and His ways.

I want the victory wisdom promises.

I want protection from the seduction of evil.

I want counsel that gives me discretion and understanding.

I want to wear wisdom as an ornament of grace.

I want to trust God’s wisdom to direct me to straight paths that are not convoluted.

I want to watch and wait for His rewards.

I want a child’s heart of wonder that always has room for more.

Selah!

Wisdom’s Caution

~ Barbara ~ 1 Comment

God cares, as any good parent does. When our children mature into adults, we pull back to give them space to make their own decisions, but we remain near, hoping their choices reflect the wisdom we lovingly wove into their young lives. It wouldn’t be appropriate or wise for us to dictate our wishes for them or push them into molds we envision for them. But we never stop caring. Our love is too strong, our attachments too deep. That is God’s position with us.

He points out our choices, noting what wisdom or foolishness they offer. And He cautions us, just as we caution our children. For example,

  • “Fear of the Lord [faith] is the foundation of true knowledge,” to despise it is foolish. Choose faith; don’t reject it. (Prov. 1:7)
  • Sin will always entice and appeal to our FOMO. Don’t give in! (Prov. 1:10, 19)

Wisdom offers clarity and understanding, truth and light. She gives our lives meaning and direction. Folly offers glitz and deception, temporary gratification and emptiness. His invitations are hollow and always deplete us.

Proverbs tells us to embrace wisdom. Store it up. Listen to her with your ears and your heart. Don’t just cry out for insight, search for it. Your reward will be victory, protection, and prudence. “Then you will understand what is right, just, and fair, and you will find the right way to go.” (Prov. 2:1-9)

God is not less of a parent than we are. He directs and warns but doesn’t force us. His cautions are born from love. He has the advantage of seeing the end from the beginning. We would do well to seek Him and discover the path to unimaginable blessing.

 

 

 

Sunshine & Growth

~ Barbara ~ 1 Comment

Is it just me, or does the sun shine brighter in the spring? Does the sky seem bluer and the clouds puffier, or do we just see things differently?

Science tells us that sunlight stimulates serotonin, provides vitamin D, and regulates our natural sleep-wake cycle. Simply put, it affects our mood for the better. Sunshine makes us happier and more productive.

This makes me wonder, how can I increase sunlight in my spiritual self? I finished my reading of Romans this morning and Paul gave me some pointers.

  • Be alert. “Watch out for those who cause divisions and put obstacles in your way… Keep away from them” (16:17). 

I will watch for thoughts and instigators that cast shadows on my love for others.

  • “Be wise about what is good, and innocent about what is evil” (16:19).

I will exercise discernment in what I absorb, eager to see, read, and watch what is good and resist glorification of evil—that which brings light, not darkness.

  • Be strong. God “is able to establish you” through faith in Him (16:25).

Establish is such a strong word! I don’t want to be washed away by storms—I want to be deep-rooted in faith, established, and growing in the light of God’s Word.

Jesus said, “I am the light of the world. 
Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness,
but will have the light of life.” John 8:12