Proverbs 19:8

"Grow a wise heart - you'll do yourself a favor;

keep a clear head - you'll find a good life."

Proverbs 19:8 (The Message)

I've blogged about this verse already, but I just needed to write my thoughts about this verse again. I sincerely hope it doesn't sound like I'm tooting my own horn, because what I'm about to say is a gift from God, pure and simple. Trust me - the changes in my are definitely not of my own doing! They are a result of me finally allowing God to have complete and total control over every aspect of my life (at least the majority of the time).

I've been reading the Bible pretty much daily now since January. In that time, I have read Proverbs 3 times and am on my 4th time now. Each time God speaks to me in different ways. I've been trying really hard to apply what I hear God say to me. In doing so, my heart is growing wiser. I have a very, very long ways to go yet, but God is working. My head is clearer - especially when I get frustrated with my husband or my children. I'm keeping my cool more and while I have moments/days where I just feel like I'm at the end of my rope (as I did today), I'm also enjoying a better life than I ever have before. 

I have more self-control. I'm not so quick to lose my temper. And when I do get frustrated, I'm able to be quieter about it - more clear-headed. Am I perfect in this? By no means. But, I'm improving. And isn't that what we hope to do each day in our relationship with Christ? 

I pray the Lord continues to work in my heart. I pray that he continues to work in the relationships I have with my family and friends. I pray that he continues to teach me his wisdom so that my life just gets better and better!

1 Kings 3:9

"Give me a God-listening heart so I can lead your people well,

discerning the difference between good and evil.

For who on their own is capable of leading your glorious people?"
1 Kings 3:9

God asked King Solomon to name anything he wanted. Solomon could have asked for gold or silver. He could have asked for the Israelites to obey his commands as king. But, he didn't. He asked for wisdom. This verse may be King Solomon's request to God, but it should also be our requests to God - especially if we're parents. 

Our children are also God's people and as parents, we should want to lead our children well. We need to be able to discern between good and evil and in order to do that well, we need to have God-listening hearts. In other words: wisdom. But, how many of us parents truly pray for the Lord to give us wisdom? 

I know my heart's prayer is often for my children to obey me better. To listen to me. To do what I say so that my life is easier. In reality, I need to be praying for God's wisdom to know how to handle when my children aren't obeying according to God's will and also to see when they DO God's will so I can show them that I see the good they do, as well. 

I, on my own, am not capable of leading God's children; MY children. My glorious children. I must have God's wisdom in order to do a good job.

Proverbs 4:5-7

"Get wisdom; develop good judgement.

Don't forget my words or turn away from them.

Don't turn your back on wisdom, for she will protect you.

Love her, and she will guard you.

Getting wisdom is the wisest thing you can do!

And whatever else you do, develop good judgment."

Proverbs 4:5-7 (NLT)

How do we "get wisdom". We aren't just born with it, we have to learn it. Some of the ways we do this are learning from our parents, our teachers, our pastors, and books. One specific book has all the wisdom we'll ever need. This book is The Holy Bible. 

I have learned so much by reading my Bible and I continue to learn new things each time I read through it. My heart latches on to the words it needs to hear in order for me to grow spiritually and emotionally. I love this about reading God's Word! It never ceases to amaze me how God speaks to me through His Word. 

I've also learned some amazing wisdom from the people around me. My parents, of course. I also had some great spiritual leaders in my life - a couple dear teachers (an elementary teacher named Mrs. Rose as well as a high school French teacher named Mme. Hull), several different pastors in my youth and today, many godly friends as well as pastors/elders in our community. I've learned so much from all these special people in my life and I feel so blessed to have had them in my life, but I'm also blessed that God allowed me to be open to being teachable. 

Do you have wise people in your life who can help you grow in Wisdom? If not, I encourage you to start seeking people out from whom you can learn. Wisdom is a beautiful thing. And good judgement can save your life. 

If you're interested in knowing what's in the Bible, but you don't have one, please let me know in the comments section. I can direct you to where you can get one for free. 

Proverbs 9:11

"It's through me, Lady Wisdom, that your life deepens, 

and the years of your life ripen." 

Proverbs 9:11 (The Message)

What does that mean - "the years of your life ripen"? When I look up the word "ripen" in the Merriam-Webster dictionary, one of the definitions says this:

ripen = to bring to completion or perfection

another one says this:

ripen = to age or cure (cheese) to develop characteristic flavor, 

odor, body, texture, and color 

So, through wisdom, your life is brought to completion. It's brought to perfection. It develops characteristic flavor. I like that one: "characteristic flavor".  It's got a certain ring to it that just makes me think "awesome!" 

Who among us doesn't want their life to be brought to completion? I don't care what religion someone claims to be or not to be - we all want our life to feel complete. But, I just simply cannot imagine feeling like my life was complete without Jesus. The times where I've run from him, my life has felt so empty. When I have a closer, personal relationship with Jesus Christ, my life truly feels complete. When I'm reading the Word of God, my life feels as perfect as it can possibly be here on Earth. And when I'm living out what I'm learning from the Word, my life begins to develop characteristic flavor like I've never known. (Maybe that's because when I am in a relationship with Him, I want to serve Him by serving others and when I do that, I feel like my life has a purpose.)

Proverbs 1:33, 2:2-7a

"First pay attention to me [Lady Wisdom], and then relax. 

Now you can take it easy - you're in good hands." 

Proverbs 1:33 (The Message)

Ahhhh... and who wouldn't want to be able to relax and take it easy? 

"Tune your ears to wisdom, and concentrate on understanding. 

Cry out for insight, and ask for understanding. 

Search for them as you would for silver; seek them like hidden treasures. 

Then you will understand what it means to fear the Lord, 

and you will gain knowledge of God. For the Lord grants wisdom! 

From his mouth come knowledge and understanding. 

He grants a treasure of common sense to the honest...." 

Proverbs 2:2-7a (NLT)

I love the image I get in my mind when I read these verses. If I ask for wisdom, God will grant it to me. And when he grants it to me, I can relax! I can take it easy and know that God's got it all under control. I don't have to try to FIX everything. God's got it covered! I don't have to be perfect, in the world's eyes. God's got me covered. I don't have to worry about what's going to happen tomorrow. God already knows and he's got it covered! I can relax! I can let go of my worries because God's got me in the palm of his great hand and...

say it with me...

"GOD'S GOT IT COVERED!!!!"

Proverbs 21:12, 23

‎"A God-loyal person will see right through the wicked 

and undo the evil they've planned." 

Proverbs 21:12 (The Message)

Sometimes people don't actually PLAN evil, they just do things without thinking about how their actions will affect the people in their lives. It's still ends up being evil and it still ends up bringing great pain to people. 

As a wife, I have the opportunity to undo the hurt that has been brought upon my husband. I'm not sure how to do this, but I do know that God will guide me. And I also know that God's got this and He knows best. 

I also know that God will help me - 

 

"Watch my words and hold my tongue" (Proverbs 21:23)  

because doing this will save me a whole lot of grief. (But, I obviously have a lot to learn in this area since I'm having a hard time holding my tongue right now by even posting this one.)

Proverbs 19:8

"Grow a wise heart - you'll do yourself a favor; 

keep a clear head - you'll find a good life." 

Proverbs 19:8 (The Message)

This is what I want. A wise heart.

Proverbs 9:6

When Lady Wisdom invites us in, she says, "Leave your impoverished 
confusion and LIVE! Walk up the streets to a life with meaning." 
Proverbs 9:6 (The Message) 

I have never felt so alive as when I'm in God's word. I have less confusion and feel as if I AM truly living. I pray the same for all my friends and loved ones. :-)