“Wisdom is the principle thing; therefore get wisdom. And in all your getting, get understanding.”
Proverbs 4:7 NKJV
I’m realizing lately that I’m different in how I think and converse with others. I’ve always believed that “friend therapy is the best therapy.” I’ve been told countless times that I would be a good therapist, that I have wisdom in my words and advice, and recently a friend deeply touched my heart when she said I was the most honest and safe friend she had.
Her words meant so much because I try to be an open book and share my thoughts without fear or judgement; to impart knowledge and truth, even when it isn’t easy; and to let God use me and my words to show love and to admonition those around me.
But this doesn’t come from me.
Search for Wisdom
I was recently looking up ways to instill my children with virtues. Knowing how to choose the right thing, being honest and telling the truth, and teaching them to be responsible. Google came up with parenting websites, “The Book of Virtues”, and multiple forums asking the same thing and receiving advice from other parents.
What didn’t come up?
Proverbs.
The entire book of Proverbs is there for life-instructions and instilling wisdom and knowledge. Though it isn’t new, it is timeless. And there is always something to learn – whether it’s your first or one-hundred-first time reading it.
I have spent countless days with Proverbs as my devotional reading. I don’t read it along a guided journal, or in a Bible study – where I have to share my answers with the group so I had better find something extra insightful – I just read the Bible.
Growing up, my mom would include an entire chapter of Proverbs at the beginning of our homeschool days. She would read whatever chapter of the day of the month we were on (i.e. 3rd of the month = read Proverbs 3) and throughout the year we would hear each Proberb at least a few times.
When I was starting to get back into reading the Bible (and not making excuses like being too tired at the end of the day), I started with Proverbs. I still regularly go back and read the Proverb of the day. I also love that Proverbs 31 is on my birthday: it’s both reflective and inspiring to read at the start of a new year of life.
Speak with Wisdom
”Do not withhold good from those whom it is due, when it is in the power of your hand to do so.”
Proverbs 3:27NKJV
I think that it can be so easy to talk without communicating at all.
One of my core desires is to connect authentically and be honest and open whenever possible. Whether it is with an old friend, a new friend, or in the grocery store check out: there is no need for inauthentic interactions.
Over share, under share, safe share, don’t share. But hide in a facade of perfection? Never.
The relationships that are my deepest friendships are built on honest conversations. We share or stories and our struggles. We live authentically in our God-given challenges and share each others burdens. We exchange wise words and speak into each other’s hearts.
When communication is honest and real, there’s no such thing as small-talk. every conversation, no matter how short can allow a genuine connection to be made and wisdom to flow freely. To look someone in the eye and ask how their day has really been and to listen to the answer without being distracted.
And there will be distractions. Your phone could ding, kids may pull on you, or you might be at that grocery store where you have to bag your own groceries, you’re in a time crunch, and you bought a lot of stuff!
But if you give these small moments an extra ounce of attention and connection, you won’t be remiss when you think back on it.
Conclusion
God gives us wisdom in small interactions and big decisions alike! When you know Him and trust that He has wisdom to pour into you, you can be filled by Him and be able to pour it onto others.
If you’re looking for wisdom, don’t ask Google, ask God: He’ll lead you to where you need to read.