Can You Hear Wisdom Calling?

Tune your ears to wisdom, and concentrate on understanding. Cry out for insight, and ask for understanding…seek them like hidden treasures. Proverbs 2:2-4 (NLT)

When it comes to relationships, we often fall short in different areas, although usually not intentionally. Sometimes it’s simply due to a lack of knowledge and understanding. For example, maybe we aren’t aware of the different love languages people “speak” or how to best handle relationship situations when they arise.

Proverbs 1:20 says wisdom shouts in the streets. In other words, wisdom isn’t hiding. It’s available for everyone, saying, “Get knowledge! Gain understanding! Walk in wisdom!" If you ask God, He’ll give you the wisdom you need to grow and nourish your relationships.

First, let’s talk about the differences between knowledge, understanding and wisdom. Knowledge is just facts. For example, if the bank phones to say your credit cards are maxed out, that’s a fact. To show understanding, you recognize the need to change your spending habits. Applying your new-found understanding by successfully changing those habits and better managing your finances is called “wisdom.”

If you want rewarding relationships, the book of Proverbs is rich with relationship wisdom for everyday life. Proverbs 15:1 (NKJV) teaches a wise, learnable skill. It says, “A soft answer turns away wrath.” In The Passion Translation it says responding to someone’s anger with anger makes it worse. Instead, responding gently defuses the blast.

The more you begin to unpack the principles in God’s Word, the more you’ll begin to grow and develop skills. Apply them with wisdom, and they’ll help you skillfully navigate your relationships to new levels!