August 18, 2014 Wisdom To Build

Monday August 18, 2014

When someone starts to build they usually have a plan in their mind or directions on paper such as blueprints which guide the person to accomplish what they want to achieve. The Bible is a blueprint for living life wisely. Its pages contain all sorts of guidelines in living life as our creator intended. When we build our lives on this solid foundation we will not be fearful when the storms of life assault our faith in the God who created us.

“Anyone who listens to My teaching and obeys Me is wise, like a person who builds a house on solid rock. Though the rain comes in torrents and the floodwaters rise and the winds beat against the house, it won’t collapse, because it is built on rock”. (Matthew 7:24-25 NLT)

To live life wisely when recovering from the storms of life we need to develop a spirit of humility which says, “I don’t know what is best for me today but I’m willing to learn to think new thoughts and practice new behaviours which God, through His word, is teaching me.” God has revealed the way to a good life in the Scriptures. The principles for living can be found there, and anything that contradicts those principles is nothing more than “worldly wisdom” which we would do well to lay aside

For the Lord grants wisdom! From his mouth come knowledge and understanding. He grants a treasure of common sense to the honest. He is a shield to those who walk with integrity. He guards the paths of the just and protects those who are faithful to him. Then you will understand what is right, just, and fair, and you will find the right way to go. For wisdom will enter your heart, and knowledge will fill you with joy. (Proverbs 2:6-10 NLT)

As we begin to rebuild our lives we need to accept that the past cannot be changed. Many of us would like to go back and change things that we have said or done. The pain and shame of our previous way of living may cause us to want to medicate it. However this would not be living wisely. Accepting our past behaviour as being part of who we were is the first step to acknowledging that there are things that we can change. Forgiving ourselves and others for what has been is the first step in pressing on to the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. Today, and every day, let the following prayer be your focus for living wisely.

God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change,

The courage to change the things I can,

And the wisdom to know the difference.

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