Are you worried today? Probably a silly question in the current state in which we are living. May I be honest? I wrestle with worry. Sorry, if you were under the impression that somehow, I just might have it all together. I do not. Most of the time, “it” has me! How is that for honesty?!
Humans are captivated by what we hear and see. When I hear a beautiful symphony, my mind floats along with the notes to how our Creator cares for us enough to allow us to “create” on His behalf. On sunny warm days, I find myself enthralled at the generosity of God who lavishes us with lovely things to see and behold.
The opposite of this is also true when I become aware of physical pain and suffering; I am captivated. When others are exposed to dangerous and harmful things, such as natural disasters or unexplained illness, my attention is captivated. If I am not careful, that captivation centers my focus only on what I see, which is pain and suffering and the unexplained.
Right now, in our world we are surrounded and bombarded with visible signs of terrible things. Worry is ruling our days and interrupting our sleep. It is even disrupting our days not only in our actions, but in our thoughts.
Here is what I know, worry is equated with the visible, but wisdom is equated with the invisible. Certain things are very visible in our world right now, unpleasant things, however, what can be unseen are the results of wisdom.
James 1:5 says, “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him.” (NASB) Wisdom sees the unseen and knows what to do.
The Lord has captivated me with this verse. How many times do I just casually “forget” to seek wisdom from God? This verse says that if we lack, we can ask and it will be given GENEROUSLY!!! There is no mention of worry. If I were to define worry it would be this, “Worry is a lack of wisdom!”
Where can we find wisdom? The Word.
Here is what God says about wisdom:
Exodus 31:3 – Bezalel (temple craftsman) was filled with the spirit of God in wisdom, understanding, and knowledge
Deuteronomy 34:9 – Joshua was filled with a spirit of wisdom
1 Kings 4:29 – Solomon was given wisdom and great discernment
Psalm 49:3 – our mouths can speak wisdom
Psalm 111:10 – the fear of the Lord begins with wisdom
Proverbs 2:10 – wisdom will enter your heart
Ecclesiastes 7:12 – wisdom is protection, it preserves those who possess it
Ecclesiastes 7:19 – wisdom strengthens a wise man
Luke 2:52 – Jesus kept increasing in wisdom
Romans 11:33 – there is a depth of riches in both wisdom and knowledge
Where do we find worry? The world.
Paul speaks to the Corinthians in this way, “And when I came to you brethren, I did not come with superiority of speech or of wisdom, proclaiming to you the testimony of God. For I determined to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ, and Him crucified. I was with you in weakness and in fear and in much trembling, and my message and my preaching were not in persuasive words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, so that your faith would NOT rest on the wisdom of men, but on the power of God.” 1 Corinthians 2:1-5 (NASB)
Wisdom over worry.
Kelli Best 