PRO 27:15-16 MSG
A nagging spouse is like the drip, drip, drip of a leaky faucet; You can’t turn it off, and you can’t get away from it.
You know, I see this less as a discussion about the relationship between my wife and I, and more about my relationship with God. It speaks to a lack of gratitude and a sense of entitlement that can creep into our lives when we face challenges.
James 1:19 NLT
Understand this, my dear brothers and sisters: You must all be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry.
I’m not always that good at this. And isn’t it that we know this, that we have heard this, but that we don’t understand it and apply it effectively and consistently in our lives?
Proverbs 3:5-8 NLT
Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and He will show you which path to take. Don’t be impressed with your own wisdom. Instead, fear the Lord and turn away from evil. Then you will have healing for your body and strength for your bones.
“How are you?”
A wise friend recently asked, “Is there any other question that leads us to lie more consistently on a daily basis?”
Hasn’t “How are you?” become the social norm for acknowledging someone’s presence, while dismissing their value?
Comfort and prosperity?
Persecution and trials?
Growth in wisdom and understanding? Satisfaction with what we already know?
God’s will?
Proverbs 4:7 NKJV
Wisdom is the principal thing; Therefore get wisdom. And in all your getting, get understanding.
JAS 1:5-6 ESV
If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind.
PERSONAL COMMENTARY
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When we seek God and we pray for wisdom, God will give it to us. It is God’s will for us to grow wise in His ways. If we are His children, and we are praying in His will, He won’t give us a snake when we pray for a fish. So it is clear that we should all pray for wisdom and guidance.
And this wisdom and guidance doesn’t just come from the “snap of God’s fingers” – Yes, it can come that way, but I’ve found that is usually not His way. No, He guides us and teaches us. He taught me my own foolishness in those times that I struck out on my own to gain something, only to see it destroyed before my eyes when the storms or the fire of trials came along. And in teaching me about my own foolishness, I learn His wisdom.
Yes, this is the way that a strong willed, foolish man had to grow in the truth of God. If you are not strong willed, you might read it, follow it, and not struggle in your life. But I am strong willed, and He teaches me by breaking my will.
It is when my eyes are opened to the truth of my life – when I see that those things that I chased did not last, the flavor wore out, I found them to be more of a trap and a source of destruction and damage in my life than a pleasure over time. It is then that I begin to see the truth – that His ways are best.
And I am thankful to have walked this walk of being proven foolish, of having my will broken – because now I am just as strong willed as ever, but my will is coming in alignment with His will. And there is blessing and power and strength in walking in the will of God. I don’t say that in pride, I say it in humble reverence and awe – that God would use even me, the rebellious and strong willed prodigal son. Yes, He forgives even me.
So let’s pray for His wisdom, let’s be bold enough to step out in faith, and let’s know that even when we make mistakes, they are life lessons in wisdom. But I encourage you – the reading, trusting, and following is the easier path – I have the stripes and the battle scars to prove it.
Harold J. Ballinger 