Wisdom doesn’t come from experience. It comes from reflecting on experience.
Wisdom
Can you live with chaos?
Who would have expected the US to demand that Canada become the 51st state of the Union followed by Greenland, Gaza, and to threaten Panama with invasion if it doesn’t give the Panama Canal back. That is the pending chaos. The real chaos is Putin invading Ukraine to reset the 80-year-old Declaration of Liberated Europe, with little response from the West.
We’re going to need an exceptional amount of godly wisdom to navigate our moment in history.
North American culture is increasingly steeped with disinformation, contempt, and polarization. But the moment we find ourselves in has hope. That’s an outcome of wisdom.
Jocelyn and I are reading a devotional plan in the book of Proverbs. One exercise was to list seven attributes that we think defines godly wisdom. What would you choose for your seven? If you’re young, you may feel you need to age before you declare that you have wisdom.
How do you define wisdom? What do you think are the components that make up godly wisdom?
The correlation between age and wisdom is zero. Insight and perspective are not determined by the number of years you’ve lived. They’re a function of the number of lessons you’ve learned. Our qualities of wisdom will vary. Your choice of qualities will arise from reflecting on your unique life experiences.
Photo by Tim Wildsmith on Unsplash
Seven Learned Qualities of Wisdom
- Humility
After 70 years of life, I am certain of less than I was 55 years ago. Humility accepts the fact that others know more than I do about many things. The vulnerability to be challenged or criticized and finding the learning in those experiences is the epitome of humility.
“We see disagreement as a threat to our egos. We surround ourselves with people who agree without conclusions, when we should be gravitating towards those who challenge our thought process. Our beliefs get brittle way before our bones.” Adam Grant
- Optimism
Catastrophizing the world’s problems doesn’t motivate us to solve them. It robs us of hope.
“Spreading doom and gloom is a self-fulfilling prophecy. When we can’t see a way to change, it drains our will to act. Progress doesn’t require positivity. It rests on a sense of possibility.” Adam Grant
Share content on social media that raises awareness about important issues and encourages understanding of different experiences.
- A healthy sense of humour.
Take how you live for God seriously. Don’t take yourself seriously. Learn to laugh at your foibles. I know I have a lot of opportunities. Life is not all about you.
“When pride comes, then comes shame: but with the lowly is wisdom.” Proverbs 11:2 (NKJV)
On Social Media, avoid feeding negativity by ignoring or politely disengaging from users who intentionally provoke conflict.
Photo by Alex Shute on Unsplash
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Reverence for God
Much of the information that feeds chaos is fear-based. Reverence, or respect for God wisely keeps you from diving down black holes.
“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.” Proverbs 9:10 (NIV)
“Moral problems are rooted in character, and character is rooted in either the connection that we have with God or the disconnection. When we’re out here trying to run our lives on our own in disconnection from God, that’s where everything falls apart.” Adam Grant
- Honesty
There is literally no chapter in 31 chapters of Proverbs that doesn’t talk about honesty in some way. Clarity creates certainty.
“Listen, for I will speak excellent things,
and my lips will utter what is right.
7 For my mouth speaks truth,
and my lips hate wickedness,
8 All the words of my mouth are righteous;
there is nothing in them twisted or crooked.
9 All of them are clear to the discerning
and upright to those who find knowledge.”
Proverbs 8:6-9 (NET)
- Thick-skinned and tender-hearted
Character is more than who you are at your best. It’s who you become when your peers are at their worst. The heart of integrity is upholding your principles even if others abandon theirs.
Don’t fall to the level of your critic’s behaviour. Rise to the level of Christ’s character.
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Generosity
Every person you encounter has experienced a lifetime of hopes, fears, loves, and heartaches that you’ll never know. Each moment is a reminder to appreciate how little we truly grasp about others’ lives. Be generous with grace and learn empathy.
“Thoughtful disagreement doesn’t start with “You’re wrong!” It begins with “I’d love to understand your thinking better.” Attacking conclusions closes minds. Asking about reasoning opens them. Good debates don’t have winners or losers. They leave everyone more informed.” Adam Grant
Major life decisions shouldn’t be based on short-term emotions. They should be guided by long-term values, like those in your list.
It’s easy to demonstrate fairness, integrity, and generosity when things are going well. The real question is whether you stand by those values when the deck is stacked against you.
Be wise. Live wisely. Shine a light.
What’s on your list of qualities of wisdom that you’ve learned in the school of hard knocks? Join the conversation and post a comment below. Thank you.
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