Common Sense Wisdom

Common sense and wisdom are learned in many ways.  We are encouraged to pursue habits that draw wisdom into our daily living and interactions with others.

Wise people always think before they do anything, but fools show how stupid they are by what they do. If you refuse to learn from your mistakes, you will be poor, and no one will respect you. If you listen when you are criticized, you will be honored. Be friends with those who are wise, and you will become wise. Choose fools to be your friends, and you will have trouble.  (Proverbs 13:16, 18, 20 ERV) 

 We all make mistakes but are we willing to learn from those mistakes?  Shame and embarrassment keep some of us from being able to admit and confront our mistakes.  John Newton said, “We serve a gracious Master who knows how to overrule even our mistakes to His glory and our own advantage." The sooner we realize that we are all learning and growing and some of our most important lessons are attached to our greatest failures, the sooner we will humbly accept that God is working for good in all things – including our mistakes. 

 Criticism is hard to swallow but we are told that we will become wise if we listen and learn when we are criticized.  We are within our right to check with a trusted sponsor or guide to sort out what is real and what might be someone else’s baggage.  However, we can all learn from another’s perspective on our actions. 

 Our choice of companions and the people we listen to for wisdom and guidance are also important.  We are told to love everyone and serve others, but we are advised to wisely select our friends, those we share our heart with. 

 One simple practice at a time, we can walk in common sense wisdom today.

Prayer:  God, I want to be wise, but I know I have much to learn.  Help me to see and humbly receive the lessons that You are teaching me today.  Amen

©2021 Partners in Hope