How many of us have ever found ourselves in a “what was I thinking?!” kind of moment? I have heard the phrase, “it seemed like a good idea at the time,” more times than I can count from friends and family as they relay the (sometimes really funny, sometimes not) details of an idea that turned out to be anything but a good idea.

In our culture and many others, we celebrate and give honor to those who possess great intellect. Intelligence is a good thing, of course, but we all know a bright person (including ourselves) who has made a baffling or senseless mistake; their aptitude was not properly applied to that circumstance. I think we might agree that the ability to discern the details of a situation and correctly apply intelligence, or wisdom, is even better than intelligence alone.

Fortunately for us, God is the giver of wisdom and wants all of us to be blessed and enriched by Godly wisdom. It isn’t as hard to obtain as we think, either. James 1:5 tells us, “If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.” God is happy to generously give us wisdom, and never faults us for asking. All we need to do is ask! When we acknowledge that we are not wise in ourselves and we stop depending on our own efforts to navigate our way through life, we’re ready to call out to Him and receive all He has for us. And what He has for us is pretty fantastic!

First, let’s hear what wisdom from God looks like. James 3:17 “But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere.” This wisdom does not look like the world’s wisdom; it is loving, kind, gentle, but also strong and true. It aligns with the character of God because it is from God.

The book of Proverbs speaks of wisdom all throughout its pages. In chapter 3, the author, likely Solomon, mentions habits that a person who is seeking wisdom should practice. In verse 5 we are told to trust God with our whole hearts and acknowledge Him in everything we do. Verses 5 and 7 tell us not to depend on our own understanding or think we are wise in ourselves as well as to stay clear of sin. Verse 9 instructs us to honor God in our giving, and verses 11-12 remind us to graciously receive discipline and correction from the Lord because he disciplines those He loves and intends it for our good. These are just a few of the disciplines that a wisdom seeker will eventually adopt, but if we start here, implementing and routinely practicing them, we will grow our walk with God and our ability to live in the blessing that comes from developing wisdom.

I would say that wisdom is a gift and blessing in itself, but Proverbs is full of descriptions of the benefits bestowed upon those who seek out wisdom from God. I did a study on wisdom a few years back, and have actual pages of blessings written down in my notebook that detail the good things God bestows upon people who live and act in His wisdom. I encourage anyone who has yet to spend time in Proverbs to read through it; there is so much insight to be gained in its pages.

Here are just a few blessings given to the wise:

• Increase learning, knowledge, understanding
• Dwell safely
• Have security without fear of evil
• Be shielded
• Delivered from evil
• Delivered from immorality
• Long life and peace
• Find favor and high esteem with God and man
• Paths will be directed
• Health and strength
• Happiness
• Have confidence and a blessed home
• Inherit glory

These are, of course, general principles, and they don’t mean that those who are wise in the Lord will never undergo hardship. They do mean that the favor of God is with those who trust and seek Him and He will provide even in the midst of hardship. Receiving wisdom from God is a gift that continues to give to us throughout our lifetime; wisdom is always worth its pursuit!