I’m a fixer by nature. If there’s a problem, I’m one to keep trying until I find a resolution.

This skill serves me well … until it doesn’t.

And if I’m honest, the times when I have failed at solving the problem myself were disastrous. What I needed was true wisdom. 

The subject of wisdom has been on my mind lately. As I scroll through social media and read/watch the news, it’s increasingly evident, our country is in desperate need of wisdom.

We all need true wisdom. Lord knows, with the enormity of troubling events in 2020, we’ve certainly seen a lack thereof! 

What is wisdom?

 

The simple answer: Wisdom is the appropriate application of knowledge. 

But with even a cursory study on the subject in Scripture, we see wisdom as a deep, invaluable, priceless, and rare resource.

“How much better to get wisdom than gold, to get insight rather than silver!” Proverbs 16:16

“The one who gets wisdom loves life; the one who cherishes understanding will soon prosper.” Proverbs 19:8

 

True wisdom comes from God. 

 

“For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding.” Proverbs 2:6

“But the wisdom from above is first of all pure. It is also peace-loving, gentle at all times, and willing to yield to others. It is full of mercy and the fruit of good deeds. It shows no favoritism and is always sincere.” James 3:17

 

How to Receive God’s Wisdom

 

• Believe

This is important: To receive God’s wisdom we must believe He indeed is the only true source of wisdom (as opposed to self, or someone else).

“But when you ask him, be sure that your faith is in God alone. Do not waver, for a person with divided loyalty is as unsettled as a wave of the sea that is blown and tossed by the wind. Such people should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. Their loyalty is divided between God and the world, and they are unstable in everything they do.” James 1: 6-8

• Admit

To receive God’s wisdom, we must admit to ourselves and to God our need for His help. This requires humility. A prime example is King Solomon, a man known for his great wisdom.

“Now, O Lord my God, you have made me king instead of my father, David, but I am like a little child who doesn’t know his way around. And here I am in the midst of your own chosen people, a nation so great and numerous they cannot be counted!  Give me an understanding heart so that I can govern your people well and know the difference between right and wrong. For who by himself is able to govern this great people of yours?” The Lord was pleased that Solomon had asked for wisdom.”  1Kings 3:7-10

• Ask 

To receive wisdom, we must ask. Simple enough, right? Well, asking is the acceptance we cannot handle it alone. For many of us, asking for help from anyone is not our go-to. 

“If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking.” James 5:1

The Lord gives wisdom freely—but many don’t bother to ask—and therefore, do not receive.

“Wisdom cries aloud in the street, in the markets she raises her voice; at the head of the noisy streets she cries out; at the entrance of the city gates she speaks: “How long, O simple ones, will you love being simple?” Proverbs 1:20-22

 

Let’s remember this Christmas season that Christ Jesus is the fullness of God’s wisdom incarnate. I love this verse from one of my favorite Christmas carols, “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel.”

“O come, Thou Wisdom from on high, and order all things, far and nigh: to us the path of knowledge show, and cause us in her ways go.”

 

As we gather (many socially distanced) for the holidays, we will likely encounter family members and friends that rub is the wrong way. May we choose to “wise up” beforehand with God’s wisdom and love. Don’t forget to ask!

Merry Christmas!

Much love,

Here’s a poem I wrote as I contemplated my need for God’s wisdom. Enjoy!

True Wisdom

Here I go again. Thinking I can fix this problem myself.
I foolishly dismiss the solution
Placing God and His infinite wisdom on the shelf.

 

I bulldoze into the problem
Swinging and swatting at flies.
All the while feeling my stress level rise.

 

But still, I proceed. “I’ve got this! It’s not like I haven’t been here before.”
I’m blinded by my arrogance
While The enemy is crouching at my door.

 

You can do it! Pull up those bootstraps. No need for assistance.
I push on—Me, myself, and I.
My resistance only furthering the distance.

 

But still, I struggle with all my might
Unwilling to give up this fight—all while sinking deeper.
My ignorance telling me, letting go will only make you weaker!

 

Pushing and striving, I forge ahead. And then without warning,
I’m falling to the ground. Entangled in a web of self-sufficiency.
I am bound.

 

Finally, I look up and cry out to God,
Feeling defeated and downtrodden,
But what else can I do when I’ve reached rock bottom?

 

My pride and Satan’s lies have made me a victim,
I surrender to what was needed all along,
The Father’s wisdom.

 

His ways are not my ways and His thoughts are not my own.
Whatever made me think I could handle things without him?
After all, HE created ME of mere flesh and bone.

 

The loving Father assures me
There is hope in my newfound humility
For His Spirit lives within me!

 

The disease of Pride had blinded my sight rendering me joyless and afflicted.
The Veil now removed, I see there’s nothing weak in humbly living God‘s ways
The ones I once thought restrictive. 

 

On the contrary, I have found the meaning of freedom.
Not my will but Yours. Your Kingdom come and Your will be done!
This is true wisdom!

 

I’d love to hear your comments and prayer requests in the comments below.