Well-Advised

Reading for Today: Proverb Chapter 13

Gold Nugget

Verse 10: "By pride comes nothing but strife, but with the well-advised is wisdom.”

Commentary

Once someone came to me and asked me a technical question that pertained to my area of expertise. He needed direction in order to achieve a task that was before him. I gave him the answer, but it wasn't to his satisfaction. With resistance, he began to strive with me for a different answer. I urged him to receive the information as truth whether it came to his liking or dis-liking. In order to prove to me that my answer was not valid, he called another person with the same background that I have. When that person gave him the same answer I did, he began to strive with him as well. He had a pre-determined, desired answer and expected someone to validate it. When it wasn't agreed upon, his pride would not allow him to be redirected. Instead, he began to strive with those that would not support his theory. Today's "gold nugget" deals with this very issue. "By pride comes nothing but strife, but with the well-advised is wisdom.” He had the opportunity to be the "well-advised" mentioned in the latter part of that verse, but refused the advice. He called on two people with knowledge in the area that he needed advice in, but pride would not permit such progress. Whether it's in business or personal situations, when you find yourself in need of direction, be sure that you look to someone that has been down that road, walked in those shoes and have the tee-shirt and ball cap to prove it. It is in your best interest to be the "well-advised" person that receives direction from a subject matter expert. Many of us have found ourselves in need of direction or wisdom, but we have a pre-determined response that we want to hear and will refuse anything else. Remember this, when you need some help, don't ask for it and quickly dismiss it because it wasn't what you wanted to hear. Sometimes council is difficult to receive. Council that is pleasant to your ears may not always be what you need.

Prayer

Lord, I want to be humble enough to receive good council when you send it to me. Help me to receive it when it comes despite the fact that it may come from a different person that I want it from, a different time that I want to receive it at or a different response than I wanted it to be. Amen

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