June 8, 2026

            Most of us have made what we would consider to be an important decision.  Most of us would admit to making more than one important decision over our years of life.  Buying a home, changing jobs, coming to faith in Jesus and choosing how to treat a disease are major issues.  Proverbs is a book of wisdom—wisdom for many of the big decisions that we face in life.  Proverbs teaches us the importance of acquiring wisdom when we have a big decision to make.  Proverbs 15:22 says, “Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed.”  The Bible encourages us not to go it alone with big decisions. Rather, we are encouraged to seek the input of “many advisers.”  What does that look like? How are we to seek that input from other people, places and sources?
            Well, first, we want to read whatever insight the Bible might have.  If we are struggling with forgiveness or how to be a good parent, we might want to see what the Bible teaches us.  Not every possible decision is specifically addressed in the Bible but God’s Word does give us some broad principles and truths that we can apply to any number of dilemmas or decisions.  Scripture passages about patience, trusting God, grace and humility can speak to a lot of situations.  And certainly, if the Bible does specifically address a decision that you are facing, then take God’s counsel to heart and act upon it. No one ever regrets following the teachings of the Bible about big decisions.
            Second, take time to pray.  Don’t be quick to set a time limit or an alarm on your praying.  Pray carefully and patiently.  Ask God to open your eyes and ears to things that are important about the decision you are facing.  If we pray too quickly, we may mistakenly think that God sees everything the way we do.  Give God some time to work.  He may reveal something to you in His Word or through the advice of a friend.  He may act to close or open doors according to what is best for you.  Remember, God loves you and will always act in ways that are true, good and loving.
            Third, trust others to pray for you.  Lean on a good friend or friends who will pray for you in the decision you are facing.  Have a “go to” friend or friends whom you can text or call in a crunch and know they will be there for you.  Listen to what God might be saying through them to you.  It is a great comfort to know that a brother or sister will pray for you and take you into the presence of God and before His throne.  The prayers of others may help you find some clarity and answers that you would not discover or experience if you prayed alone.  God blesses us quite often through the prayers and actions of others. Remember how many times in the New Testament that Paul requested prayer.  He was by no means bashful in asking others to pray for him.
            Fourth, patiently look to see if God is moving or working in some way.  We learn through the study Experiencing God that He is always at work.  We just have to look and assess where He is and what He is doing.  It could be that God grants you the wisdom to see where His hand and will are stirring and moving.  Ask yourself what you see God doing. Do you have any past experiences where God has made something clear to you?  Can you draw from that past experience?  God is not reckless and aimless.  He works with purpose and precision—consider the intricacies of the creation itself of where God has been at work.
            And fifth, surround yourself with some good “counselors” or “advisors.”  Lean on the expertise of others who may know more than yourself.  Lean on those who have a good sense of discernment.   You probably know those solid, healthy Christian people who are just good to lean on when you find yourselves at a crossroads trying to make a decision or gain some certainty about a difficult matter.  The book of Proverbs does not counsel us to go as lone rangers when we are facing a mountain to climb or a valley to struggle through. But we are told to avail ourselves of the counsel and wisdom of many.
            A good practical approach for gaining God’s wisdom is simply to read the book of Proverbs.  All thirty-one chapters feature a high-level education by immersion into God’s wisdom.  A chapter per day with Proverbs is a good start in gaining God’s take on a host of practical matters—such as parenting, jobs, humility, business dealings and investing. Indeed Proverbs 16:4 gives us this truth we can always hold on to, “The LORD works out everything to its proper end.”  Have a great Monday!