Proverbs 22:3 (NIV) says, “The prudent see danger and take refuge, but the simple keep going and pay the penalty.” This verse is also repeated word-for-word in Proverbs 27:12.
There’s this fun thing about scripture where, when something is repeated, it usually means we need to pay extra attention because it’s important.
I’m not stating this verse to send you into a panic about looking for signs of danger everywhere. But the truth of the matter is, we are not strangers to finding ourselves in situations that don’t sit well in the gut.
Proverbs is the wisdom book. And James 1:5 continually invites us to ask God for more wisdom when we find ourselves lacking. What if one of those keys to gaining more of God’s wisdom is to spend time in the book of Proverbs?
A friend of mine has referenced this verse several times through a situation we are both dealing with. The desire of our hearts is not to pay a price for ignoring red flags, but as women who have caring hearts, we also dislike the potential pain that confrontation could cause. At the end of the day, the question boils down to this: which will cause greater damage in the long run? Confrontation or turning a blind eye?
In our guts, we know the answer.
What we’re truly praying for is wisdom to speak truth in love.
Friend, I don’t know where life finds you today. I pray you are on the wisdom-seeking path, that you are pursuing God’s wisdom no matter where you find yourself, and that you believe He will answer and provide. I have seen Him gently work out difficult situations that filled me with dread, and He did it so tenderly that the pain that was caused was not nearly so bad as I imagined. My part was simply seeking Him out, asking for Him to guide me in His wisdom, and He did the rest.
Maybe things aren’t working out as perfectly as you thought. Maybe you still have to have those hard confrontational conversations. Even though it’s yucky and uncomfortable, I can still guarantee that God is at work–sometimes, His plan requires your involvement, for your benefit and growth. No matter the path forward, you will gain wisdom in each step as you walk in step with God.
Seek out His wisdom. Open Proverbs and allow it to guide you in your journey of seeking to grow in wisdom. You will never be short of challenging situations in life, but you are also never cut off from the wisdom that will allow you to handle each new issue with grace.
Blessings,
~Lynne
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