Wisdom from Above

"The wise in heart are called discerning, and pleasant words promote instruction." Proverbs 16:21

This Wednesday morning during my Quiet Time, I pulled out the study cards I had created during the time I spent doing Beth Moore's Breaking Free Bible study awhile back.  Wednesday morning followed a particularly convicting meeting I attended on Tuesday evening.  The Holy Spirit just would not let me ignore some patterns I had slipped back into anymore.

If I think about it, He started prompting my heart on this issue back on Saturday, actually, but I put it all together on Wednesday.  Saturday was our church's annual Women's Retreat, and the topic was drawn from Colossions 1:9:

"For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you and asking God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding."  

Or perhaps, He's been trying to get my attention on this subject for over a week now.  Last Thursday, during my Quiet Time, He reminded me of this: 

"Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show it by his good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom.  But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. Such “wisdom” does not come down from heavenbut is earthly, unspiritual, of the devil. For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice.  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. Peacemakers who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness."  James 3: 13-17

There has been much frustration here lately.  My children have been argumentative, whiny, complaining, tattling, provoking one another.  And I have failed to instruct them well.  Instead, in my exhaustion and to be frank laziness, I have either ignored the issues or reacted out of anger.  My words have not been pleasant.  They have not been derived from a consistent asking for and seeking wisdom from above.  They have not promoted instruction or peace, mercy or good fruit.

I am praying about how to begin addressing these weaknesses in my children.  I am praying that God would start this process by addressing my weaknesses.  I am praying for wisdom, discernment and follow through.  I am praying for pleasant words that promote instruction.

"The wise in heart are called discerning, and pleasant words promote instruction." Proverbs 16:21

Lord, fill me with the knowledge of Your will through all wisdom and spiritual understanding.  Give me heavenly wisdom, that is pure, peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere.  Make me wise in heart.  Give me discernment.  Fill my mouth with pleasant words that promote instruction.  Thank You for speaking to me, Lord.  I trust that You will work in me, conforming me more and more into Your image.  In Jesus' name, amen.