Knowledge

Day 19: Slow It Down – Proverbs 19

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Day 19 picture of hummingbird with pink blossom

“Enthusiasm without knowledge is no good; haste makes mistakes.” Proverbs 19:2 (NLT)

When my boys were little and would get a new toy, they would always be in a hurry to open it. If the toy required assembly, they would just hurry and try to get it together. I would tell them to slow down and let me help them. But they would be in a hurry and felt they could do it themselves. Sometimes it worked out fine for them. But other times the toy would not work properly because they hurried and didn’t put it together correctly. They were to young to read directions, besides reading directions would take extra time, so they just went for it! Their attempt at assembly would fail and it would leave them waiting longer for their dad or I to fix it. And there were times that their haste made it impossible to fix.

The boy’s excitement for the new toy was always understandable and as their mom I loved watching and listening to them experience new things. However, it was their lack of knowledge, and their hurried, “I want it right away,”, mindset that would sometimes cause issues. They were young and this was expected. As parents we tried to use these moments as learning experiences, slow down and be informed. I hope they got it!

I hope I get it! It can be so easy to get excited about something and just want to go full steam ahead! The plan or idea I may have is so amazing and I just know it’s from the Lord, so why not just go for it. Moving quickly into something can often go haywire. I must slow down to hear from the Lord, to gain wisdom and to plan according to His leading. My hurriedness can and will lead to mistakes. And when your headed to something exciting, who wants to deal with mistakes?

I pray today for wisdom to pause and listen in the moment. I pray my enthusiasm will first lead me to seek out wisdom, knowledge and the leading of the Holy Spirit. I pray for a “Red Flag” signal to alert me in hurried moments, so that I will pause and evaluate why I’m hurried. Hopefully then leaving me with the opportunity to slow down and get it right! Amen.

What is God speaking to you today in Proverbs 19? Share in the comments below or join the conversation on our Journaling Through Proverbs Facebook Group.

Day 1: Wisdom – Proverbs 1

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Picture of flowers

“Wisdom shouts in the streets…..come and listen to my council,
I’ll share my heart with you and make you wise…..
All who listen to me will live in peace untroubled by the fear of harm.”
Proverbs 1:20, 23, 33

Proverbs is a book full of wise council for living a peaceable and successful life.

Wisdom is

Knowledge and good judgement that is gained from experience. Wisdom can be given and received. It’s born out of “been there, done that.” We can gain wisdom through our own experiences and through others’ experiences if we pay attention. And here in Proverbs we can learn about wisdom, discipline, understand the insights of the wise, learn to live disciplined and successful lives, guide us to do what is right, just and fair. Proverbs gives insight to the simple and knowledge and discernment to the young (VV. 2-4). Seriously, y’all, there is a lot in here!

I chose the above portions of this chapter because first it reminds me that wisdom is available to me. Verse 22 says “wisdom shouts in the streets.” That says to me that wisdom is not hiding or hard to find. It’s not something I can only gain access to after I’ve experienced life. Sure, the older I get, the more experiences I have, therefore gaining more wisdom. But, here in Proverbs, I’m told that wisdom is calling out to me and if I will listen, I can find wisdom.  Once I hear wisdom speak then I must decide to listen and obey. Really living a life led by wisdom is on me, its available to me, I just need to listen.

The final verse in this chapter says, “But all who listen to me (wisdom) will live in peace untroubled by harm.” And that is a word for me today. Seeking out and trusting wisdom will lead me to a life filled with peace and freedom from fear. Can I get an AMEN somebody!  There is so much going around right now, what we should do or what we shouldn’t do. Is staying home the right thing, or do we need to get back to living? I don’t have the exact right answer, but wisdom tells me that I can find the right answer. And that fact is not just for today and what is happening with Covid 19, it’s for every part of my life; marriage, parenting, finances, relationships, education.

Thank you, Lord for your Word. Thank you for the wisdom it offers for my life today. I pray today for myself and for those who are reading this that we will listen to wisdom and allow it to bring peace to our lives. Amen.

 

What is God speaking to you today through Proverbs 1? And how can I be praying for you?  You can comment below or join the discussion on the Journaling Through Proverbs Facebook Group.