Seeking Wisdom

Give me an understanding heart so that I can govern your people well and know the difference between right and wrong. For who by himself is able to govern this great people of yours? (1 Kings 3:9, NLT)

I like to do things my way. I enjoy being the leader, and I prefer being in charge. As with most things, I highly prefer to do things my way because I’ve researched, read books, and in some cases, have the experience to back it up. I have plans and ideas that I’d like to see implemented.

For me, parenting was no exception. But then the baby came, and the phenomenon that is mom brain happened. I instantly forgot everything I thought I knew. Then, once I could see through the haze of the sleepless nights in the newborn trenches, I realized that I, in fact, was not in control at all. The tiny little one created with love by my husband and me and blessed by the Lord—all 8 lbs. of him—was actually in charge. We were going to do things very differently than anticipated.

Maybe your story doesn’t involve sleepless nights and newborn cries, but you still find yourself in a season where life isn’t going as planned. Regardless of the circumstances, we all come to moments when we realize we’re not in control. When we come to this kind of crossroads, we see that life has a way of reminding us that our best-laid plans often shift, and we must trust in the Lord’s wisdom above our own.

We face challenges and need to make decisions we hadn’t anticipated making. In these moments, there is often a strong tug of the flesh to grasp any amount of control we think we may have, yet these are the times when the Lord calls us to humble ourselves before Him—submitting our agendas and plans so we can entirely rely on Him. When we seek Him and His wisdom above all else, we watch our best intentions unravel, and His beautifully orchestrated plan unfold.

I’ve been thinking a lot about King Solomon recently. He could have asked the Lord for anything in the world, yet he asked for wisdom and an understanding heart (1 Kings 3:9). Solomon knew that true leadership—whether over a nation, a household, or simply our own decisions—requires wisdom from God, not self-reliance. In order to bring glory and honor to the Lord through our actions and thoughts, we can seek His wisdom above all, aligning ourselves more fully with His will!

Proverbs 3:5-6 reminds us, Trust in the LORD with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take. This is the posture the Lord calls us to in every aspect of our lives, no matter the season we’re in!

As I navigate this new season of parenting, I ask the Lord daily: Give me a heart that seeks Your wisdom above all. Help me to parent not from my own knowledge but from Your eternal guidance. May my leadership in my children’s lives reflect my surrender to You. May I always remember that true wisdom comes not from having all the answers but from seeking the One who does.

Lord, give me an understanding heart. Help me live not by my own knowledge but by Your eternal wisdom. May my surrender to You be evident in every decision I make.

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Scripture is quoted from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.