Wisdom - Karla Griggs
Allow me to begin by saying I am very thankful for the opportunity that Mrs. Amy has given to me share what God has taught me in times past. I am no one special, but if I can help or encourage someone, then praise the Lord.
When I was probably in middle school, (I don’t remember the exact timeframe.) I was determined to find a life verse. It seemed like everyone had one and I was encouraged by my Spiritual authorities to look for one. I don’t remember the exact age I was when I was also encouraged to read Bro. Jerry Ross’s book “The Teenage Years of Jesus Christ”, but I did and I started meditating on the book of Proverbs, too. Consequently, I read a verse in Proverbs 3 that stood out to me and decided then that it would be my life verse. It goes, “Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding.”. Bro. Ross’s book really emphasized the great value of wisdom— how it was better than riches or popularity. Which for some reason, as a child one of my dreams in life was to be rich. And as a teenager, who didn’t struggle with the insecurity of being popular or not? Needless to say, God really worked on my heart about the thought of wisdom and I truly desired to have it during those crucial years of my life. Now those years were far from perfect and in some areas I wish I did better, but looking back I am so thankful for the wisdom that God gave me.
Taking a look at this verse again, it says, “Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding.”. Happy is another word for blessed in the Bible— I definitely didn’t want to miss out on any blessings. And understanding is so crucial for us to handle all the situations that happen in life. It is
said that wisdom comes in three forms: the Bible, other wise men, and the reproofs of life. I wanted wisdom, because I wanted to be happy and I wanted God to be pleased with my life.
The Bible is full of examples and instruction on how to live our lives. The book of Proverbs is satiated with practical wisdom for every day living. A personal favorite is found in chapter 15, verse 1, “A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.”. When hard conversations are to be had, they are unpleasant from the start, but if I go into it fired up and defensive, there is no profit in that conversation. It takes self-control and help from the Holy Spirit to say the right words— even if I am right and the other person is wrong. Also, Paul gives us instruction in his epistles on how to treat the brethren. Ephesians 4:32 says, “And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.” So if someone at church or even a friend behaves
in a way that hurts me, I’m not instructed to retaliate or hold a grudge. My only choice should be to forgive, because I have been forgiven of so much. Now that will not happen every time I am hurt, because I have a sin-nature, but that should be my goal in life. These are just a couple of so many examples of wisdom directly from God’s Word. He has given us a free will to choose, why not strive to let it be acceptable every time?
I am so thankful for my parents and pastors that I had growing up. They are my heroes and I will forever be indebted to them for their sacrifice and investment in my life. But I am especially grateful for my two older sisters. God gave me the most wonderful spiritual counselors, and the best part is that I am related to them. When I was younger I didn’t always appreciate their ‘motherly love’ for me, but part of that was because I was spoiled, haha! But now, I see the love they have had for me over the years. I could go to them when I was sad or discouraged to feel better. But I could also go to them when I was faced with a life-changing decision and they helped me see how it would affect me for the rest of my life if I chose to go a specific route. Proverbs 15:22 says, “Without counsel purposes are disappointed, but in the multitude of counsellors they are established.”. I will admit when I first started Bible college I didn’t have a purpose in going there other than I knew God wanted me there, and so I wasn’t making the most of the education I could be getting. Then, my sister, Jessi, saw more in me than I saw in myself and told me to go for more than what I was studying at the time, and with the way my classes over those four years lined up, I got a little bit of each degree. Adding versatility to my ability to serve in ministry one day. And not too long before the time of this writing, my sister, Kristy, was lovingly honest with me regarding my attitude about a situation and helped me to realized the bitter path I was headed down if I didn’t make some changes. These are just two of the many examples of wisdom that I have received from other wise ‘women’ in my case. :)
I saved the best for last— the reproofs of life. Thank the Lord for His love and mercy in our lives every day. He loves us so much that He is willing to correct us. Proverbs 3:11 says, “My son, despise not the chastening of the LORD; neither be weary of his correction:” and Proverbs 15:10 says, “Correction is grievous unto him that forsaketh the way: and he that hateth reproof shall die.”. I have made more mistakes that I want to admit, but admitting where I am wrong is the first step to growing and gaining wisdom through the reproofs of life, if not, I am doomed to make the same mistakes over and over again. I will be transparent for a moment and say that moving away was the hardest part of getting married. My husband is the most amazing man in the world and the most annoying thing he does is sometimes leave cabinet doors open. !) Learning to live with him has been a
piece of cake, but learning to live somewhere new was a whole different ballgame. I have missed my family very much at times, and I have also missed much about the life I left behind when I married Josiah. And if I was not careful, I would grow to be so unthankful for what I am so blessed with now. I became so delusional in my pity party that I was unwilling to admit how ungrateful I was. But God in His love and mercy showed me forgiveness one day when I was willing to admit my sin of unthankfulness and since then, I’ve been able to look around a see how truly blessed I have been. I know that I have not arrived and I still have hard lessons to learn in life, but looking back on the correction that I have been given so far, I am thankful for the reproofs of life.
All of this goes to say, wisdom is everywhere. Proverbs 1:20 says, “Wisdom crieth without; she uttereth her voice in the streets.”. It can be easy to get into a rhythm of routine and go about our responsibilities until we are faced with a decision that might not be so easy to make. In that situation, we can stop and see what God’s Word says (having some Scripture committed to memory is helpful), or we can seek help from Godly counsel. In some cases, we make a foolish decision that can only be fixed when we humble ourselves and ask the Lord for forgiveness and help to not make the same mistake again. And looking back from the time when I first started learning about wisdom, I still need it, now more than ever. I thank the Lord that He can renew that desire in me and help me live for Him.