By no accurate description, am I an expert on any topic I write about but I’d preferably describe myself as an experiential expert. I use how God has worked in my life in conjunction with His everlasting Truth in the Bible to share my perspectives.
One such perspective that is active in my life now, is the importance of wisdom. Let’s turn to the Book of Wisdom itself, The Bible, and more particularly the writings which are largely ascribed to King Solomon in the book of Proverbs.
He says that Wisdom is the principal thing and in all your 'getting' get wisdom and understanding (Proverbs 4). How this wise man expounded on the riches, honour, and peace that lie within the bowels of this beauty called Wisdom. Personified as a woman and characterised as better than rare jewels (Proverbs 8:11), he tells us “she” is who we must desire above all things (Proverbs 2:3-5).
This same Bible warns us to not be wise in our eyes, or rely on the limited understanding that we have but to lean into wisdom by trusting God (Proverbs 3:5-7). Wise living isn’t linear or easy, it is not marked with clear signs at the intersection of our decisions, saying “This is a wise choice” or “That is a foolish choice”. King Solomon appeals that we seek out wisdom, that we search earnestly for it, for when it is found, it will guard us (Proverbs 4:6).
I’ve read the book of Proverbs and it gives very exact examples throughout of wise and foolish choices. For example, standing as a guarantee, pursuing a promiscuous woman and slothfulness are all unwise. Likewise, the Bible masquerades a plethora of words, decisions, and lifestyles that are wise and which we must pursue.
I have found specific answers to questions and decisions in the Bible, or just principles that are foundational to wise decisions. For example, the direction to use your words with restraint and be mindful of what comes from your lips are good foundational principles that temper the lure of unwholesome retorts. But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere. (James 3:17)
However, a long time ago, I heard a pastor (Joyce Meyer) give a very practical definition of wisdom which I have been using for a long time: “Wisdom is doing today what you’ll be happy with tomorrow”, and I have been able to see support in Scripture for this practical guide.
We are not looking at the things being seen, but the things not being seen. For the things being seen are temporary, but the things not being seen are eternal. (2 Cor 4:18). Though this scripture speaks of eternity, the message applies to all of life. It is simply: living only for the present is unwise.
If temporary gain and desires are the pilots of your life, it is unlikely that your decision-making will be of the wise and lasting type. Do you forego a meal out with friends so that your child can participate in an extracurricular event that they enjoy? Do you hold your tongue in the face of hurtful accusations for the sake of possibly reconciling that relationship in the future? Are your decisions only about how you feel now, or is there a bigger picture that you may be ignoring?
People are often asked what will they do if they can go back in time and do this or that. Unfortunately, that may evoke lovely thoughts, but ultimately it is fruitless. The most power is not in the yesterday you cannot change, but in the tomorrow you have the capacity to influence.
The real questions should be, what should I be saying, learning, or doing now that will be beneficial to me, my children, and future generations?
If you are searching at this moment for an answer to what to do and you desire to make a wise choice, a good continuing point after seeking the Holy Spirit’s direction, is to ask honestly, what is best in the long term. How will I appreciate this decision in the next 5 or 10 years? Will it be beneficial then, though it may feel hurtful now?
Sometimes, the wise choice is to take a vacation because your body needs you to back away from that edge you’ve been tiptoeing around. However, on another occasion, the wise choice is to redirect your money to something that will grow and yield a greater return for your health, wellness, and even finances in the future.
One article in a few paragraphs can never begin to do justice to the breadth and depth of this inexhaustible topic of wisdom. However, I am giving a simple first step and encouraging you to ask yourself whether a course of action will make you happy in the present only or if it will have a good long-term return.
Choose to invest your time with your children and loved ones, choose to invest in your education, vocation, or career, and choose to invest in eternal security by believing in Jesus. Those things have long-term, accretive value and those types of decisions will always land on the side of Wisdom.
Love Ya!
Krystal Baynes-Hoseinee
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