Wisdom Over Worry

Are you worried today? Probably a silly question in the current state in which we are living. May I be honest? I wrestle with worry.

If you’ve met me, and were under the impression that somehow, I just might have it all together—know that I do not. Most of the time, “it” has me! How is that for honesty?

Humans are captivated by what we hear and see. When I hear a beautiful symphony, my mind floats along with the notes to reflect how our Creator cares for us enough to allow us to “create” on His behalf. On sunny, warm days, I find myself enthralled at the generosity of God who lavishes us with lovely, beautiful things to see and behold.

The opposite of these reflections is also true when I become aware of physical pain and suffering. When others are exposed to dangerous and harmful things, such as natural disasters or unexplained illness, my attention is captivated. If I am not careful, that captivation centers my focus only on what I see—pain, suffering, and the unexplained.

Right now in our world, we are surrounded and bombarded with visible signs of terrible things. Worry is ruling our days and interrupting our sleep. It is not only disrupting our actions, but also our thoughts.

Here is what I know. I equate worry with the visible, but I equate wisdom with the invisible. Certain things are very visible in our world right now—unpleasant things. If I were to define worry, it would be this: “Worry is a lack of wisdom!”

Where do we find worry? In the world.

However, what is “not seen” is a result of wisdom.

James 1:5 (NASB) says, “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him.” Wisdom understands the unseen and knows what to do.

The Lord has mesmerized me with this verse. How many times do I just casually “forget” to seek wisdom from God? This verse says that if we lack wisdom, we can ask, and it will be given generously! Worry is not even mentioned.

Where can we find wisdom? The Word.

Here is what God says about wisdom:

Exodus 31:3—Bezalel (a temple craftsman) was filled with the spirit of God in wisdom, understanding, and knowledge

Deuteronomy 34:9—Joshua was filled with the spirit of wisdom

1 Kings 4:29—Solomon was given wisdom and great discernment

Psalm 49:3—our mouths can speak wisdom

Psalm 111:10—the fear of the Lord begins with wisdom

Proverbs 2:10—wisdom will enter your heart

Ecclesiastes 7:12—wisdom is protection; it preserves those who possess it

Ecclesiastes 7:19—wisdom strengthens a wise man

Luke 2:52—Jesus kept increasing in wisdom

Romans 11:33—we can find a depth of riches in both wisdom and knowledge

Paul speaks to the Corinthians in this way:

“And when I came to you brethren, I did not come with superiority of speech or of wisdom, proclaiming to you the testimony of God. For I determined to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ, and Him crucified. I was with you in weakness and in fear and in much trembling, and my message and my preaching were not in persuasive words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, so that your faith would not rest on the wisdom of men, but on the power of God” (1 Corinthians 2:1-5, NASB).

Wisdom triumphs over worry.

Kelli Best and her husband, Bill, have two daughters, Ashlee and Paige. The Bests have pastored Bethlehem Chapel in eastern Washington state since 2009. Married since 1989, Kelli and Bill both agree it feels like they were married just yesterday. Kelli has a B.A. in music education from Evangel University and spent over twenty years in home education. Now Kelli is the team leader for BONDED Women’s Ministry at Bethlehem Chapel and participates on the worship team. She is an ordained minister with the Assemblies of God and served as the Women’s Ministry Facilitator for the Northwest Ministry Network for two years.  Kelli enjoys speaking and writing, is an avid reader, lover of quality chocolate and good coffee, and loves spending her free time in the kitchen cooking and baking. Contact Kelli at: Kellibest89@gmail. Follow her on social media: Kelli Hill-Best on Facebook and kellibest on Instagram. Her blog is Kellibest.com.