Wisdom

(noun) - ability to discern inner qualities and relationships; good sense (Merriam-Webster.com)

Isn’t wisdom such a tricky word? I kind of feel like I’ll be sticking my foot in my mouth; I do think I’ve made enough mistakes to learn from and maybe share the constant ebb and flow of finding a little wisdom amongst the mistakes.

I like how this definition says “ability to discern.” That word discern is the little elbow nudge we need when we think we KNOW something. We need that as a reminder to slow down and possibly stop before moving forward with whatever knowledge we want to share. Because maybe, just maybe, that moment is not a wise time for something to be shared.

We assume having knowledge is the same as being wise, but it really isn’t. I can read a “How to Draw for Dummies” book, but if I don’t put pencil to paper and if I’m not willing to use the eraser than what good is that knowledge? I can read all the parenting books, but if I choose to not understand (aka discern) how different each kid is then it will feel like I’m beating my head against a wall with the kids who need help in different ways than the book suggested.

I can read all the devotionals and spiritual articles available, but if my Bible sits dusty and untouched, others’ knowledgeable words will not change my life, only God’s Word can do that. Yes, I am so grateful for the devotionals and articles by more mature Christians that I have learned from AND I’ve come to learn if I really yearn for a life guided by wisdom then I have to get uncomfortable and possibly not understand what I’m reading in order to learn how to be wise.

With all that to say, I believe the biggest obstacle to finding wisdom is our desire to appear strong and independent. Asking for help is often the wisest course of action.

Showing vulnerability has come to two extremes - not being vulnerable at all and assuming a “strongest person around” facade OR a woe-is-me pity party whenever a situation gets confusing. Maybe I’m being a bit cynical or maybe our culture needs to have a mind shift in this area. There is so much wisdom to be learned from those around us AND there is wisdom that comes from taking risks and making mistakes.

Then put those two together - taking risks in community to help grow each other and lift each other up when the hard lesson has to be learned or the mistake has rough consequences or our strength requires a shoulder to lean on - that is the wisdom that will change our world.

And finally, where does all wisdom come from?

Earlier I talked about life changing wisdom only come from actually reading God’s Word, but the other side of that coin is ASKING God Himself for said wisdom! How simple is that, right? And how often do we THINK to ask Him for wisdom? I don’t remember where I read or heard this, but something along the lines of “Prayer should always come first and not as an after thought when things get tough.” When the new year came around, I was struggling with doubting myself and some of my choices. Not terrible, life changing ones, but wondering if where I’m at is where I should be. I have a journal entry in my prayer journal saying “Jesus, I had over my. . .” and listed in there was “business.” And I apologized for not doing that BEFORE starting said business. Did I start making gobs of money? No, but I did feel at peace about where I was at and then I started feeling the creative juices flowing. The release of stress that I didn’t even know I really had that came with drawing and sketching had me feeling less doubtful.

The next month, an Instagram friend reached out to me about joining her business course. I have learned SO much. When I got vulnerable and asked for help, she shared her business-minded wisdom and because of that I was able to order my thoughts and ideas into a somewhat clearer concept.

Wisdom comes from asking, taking risks and learning; sharing wisdom changes lives.