The Counsel We Don’t Take
Wisdom Needs A Listening Heart
“Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.” — Proverbs 4:23
It is strange how clear life can look from across the table.
We can hear a friend describe their situation and almost immediately see the next wise step.
Slow down. Tell the truth. Ask for help. Forgive. Set the boundary. Stop returning to what keeps wounding you.
Then our own life places the same kind of moment in front of us, and the wisdom we gave so freely suddenly feels harder to live.
The Mirror We Avoid
Wisdom is easier to disperse than it is to rehearse.
From a distance, we can see patterns without feeling the fear attached to them.
But inside our own story, blind spots hide in familiar places.
Pride calls itself strength. Fear calls itself caution. Comfort calls itself peace.
Sometimes we do not lack wisdom.
We lack the courage to let wisdom come home.
The King With A Listening Heart
Solomon asked God for a listening heart, and Abba gave him wisdom beyond measure.
People came from everywhere to hear him. He could settle disputes, speak proverbs, and see what others missed.
Yet his own heart slowly drifted toward what he had warned others about.
The wisest man in the room still needed his heart guarded.
That should not shame us.
It should awaken us and make us tender.
The Love That Helps Us See
Abba does not give wisdom to embarrass us with how poorly we have lived it.
He gives wisdom as love with light in its hands.
Holy Spirit reveals what we cannot see alone. Safe friends help us notice what fear has hidden. Jesus keeps leading us back to the Father’s heart, where truth does not accuse us, but heals us.
The wisdom we have offered others may also be bread for us.
Not because we failed.
Because we are beloved children still learning to receive what Love has already been speaking.
Reflection
What wisdom have I given others that I may need to receive myself?
Where has fear or pride made wisdom hard to live?
Who has Abba placed in my life to help me see with love?
Prayer
Abba Father, give me a listening heart. Help me receive the wisdom Your love is offering, and let truth become healing in the places I have avoided. Amen.