Wisdom First

If you want a truly successful life, seek wisdom before you act. Just because something seems right to you, doesn’t mean it’s always the right thing to do. Proverbs 14:12 makes it clear that a way that seems right to a person can instead lead to death, a death that includes relationships, finances, and even dreams. Before you take action, consider: 

• What does God say about it?
• What do wise counselors say about it?

If you don’t have counselors, seek them out. But use caution, simply because they have an opinion doesn’t mean they’re wise. A wise counselor is someone trained, or more experienced than you, whose own life reflects right choices. 

If your wise counselors are against it, wait to take action and thoughtfully consider their advice.

If God is against it, simply don’t do it. 

The more important the issue at hand, the more important it is to seek wisdom. Ultimately the decision is always yours, but remember, so too are the consequences. 

Walk in wisdom today, my friend. 

Ann 

“The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but a wise man listens to advice.”

‭‭(Proverbs‬ ‭12:15‬ ‭ESV‬‬)

How to Defeat Grasshopper Thinking

I’m a country girl at heart having spent most of my childhood outdoors. When you do, especially in Southwest Louisiana, you can’t help but become acquainted with bugs and insects. I'd lie in the lush grass and watch as mosquito hawks danced, ants marched, grasshoppers bounced and, my personal favorite, rolly pollys meandered. They were each tiny creatures existing within a larger, more powerful world. 

Sometimes we feel equally small in light of seemingly giant obstacles in our lives. Perhaps you’ve felt that way as you faced a loved one’s progressive disease, or the loss of a job, or a rebellious child, or a depleted bank account. If so, you aren’t alone.

The Israelites felt powerless when they surveyed the inhabitants of the Promised Land. Ten men were sent out to explore, eight came back overwhelmed by the obstacles seen, reporting that they felt as helpless as grasshoppers. As a result, the people were afraid to enter God’s blessing.  Instead, they wandered in the wilderness for forty years until only their children gained entrance. 

That is, all but two. Joshua and Caleb were part of the ten, yet they refused to be defeated by grasshoppers. It didn’t matter what their eyes saw; what mattered was how big God was. They knew what He’d already done for them and trusted that He would provide a way. They walked in obedience and entered the Promise Land.

Message for the Journey:

Can any obstacle be bigger than God? When you seem insignificant compared to the situation around you, stand firm. Don’t be like the Israelites and miss God’s blessings because you allow grasshopper feelings to overrule what you know. Trust God and in obedience, press on.

©Ann Wilds

He sits enthroned above the circle of the earth, and its people are like grasshoppers. He stretches out the heavens like a canopy, and spreads them out like a tent to live in.(Isaiah 40:22)

Keep the the Destination in Mind

I don’t know about you, but impatience remains an opportunity area in my life. It’s quite possible that God will still be developing this particular fruit of the Spirit in me up until my final moment on earth. With His help, I’ve gained ground. Friends have commented on my patience in trying times, but I think that is more a reflection of my stress management skills than my level of patience. I still have so far to go, but I can laugh at the comical ways impatience arises in me. It’s so often over the little things in life.

One way is when I’m driving and find myself behind a truck or van - any vehicle that I can’t see around. I feel myself growing impatient. I have the urge to change lanes, to get around them. The feeling isn’t connected to their speed; that’s what makes it funny. Even if the pace is perfect, I’m impatience nevertheless. I feel trapped. I just want...no need...to be able to see. I want to know what’s coming.

We can react the same way as we travel the winding roads of life. I know I often do. I want to know what the plan details are. Will this happen or will that happen? Will God open this door or shut that window? How long will this situation last? Just what exactly is coming around the next turn and when?

The interest to know isn't the culprit. The problem begins once the interest becomes a desire and then a need. When negative feelings arise-frustration, confusion, doubt, anger, fear- they reveal what is at the heart of the matter.

We desire control because we don't trust God fully. We lean on ourselves as a back up plan. While our thoughts and words may indicate otherwise, our lack of peace exposes the truth. We aren't fully surrendered to Him.

How could we, even for a moment, believe that our way would ever be better than God’s? Do we really think our plan would be more perfect than that of the Creator of the universe? He is omnipotent, omnipresent and omniscient with our best interest at heart. We are flawed and so very limited.

Our way might seem easier in the moment for ourselves, but easy is not the destination. God is more concerned with our character than our momentary comfort. He knows the ultimate destination is to become like Christ. 

We can try to influence travel on the freeway, but we can’t control it any more than we can control life’s outcomes. We may influence them, by our actions and choices, but only God is fully in control. And that is wonderful news. He is sovereign, in control of everything. And He loves us unconditionally. He doesn’t need us to navigate for Him or to edit His plan. What He desires of us is simple- trust and dependence. 

Message for the Journey:

When we keep the intended destination of becoming Christ-like in mind, we can sit back, relax and follow Him on the roads of life. We don't need to see what's ahead. God knows exactly where He is taking us. Whether it is uphill or downhill, moving fast or moving slow, He is in complete control and He is good. God’s character never changes. 

                                                              ©AnnWilds2011
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