Be Still, Listen First & Trust God’s Wisdom.

Have you ever said something that you wish you could take back?

Have you sent a text or email that you wish you could retrieve? Have you ever said something to a close friend, your wife, or a family member that required you to repair the relationship afterwards?

We sure have, and we suspect you have too.

This past week, we were reminded of this as we addressed some business issues related to one of our investments. We could have had a “quick backswing”, said something, or written something that could have made the situation worse and the resolution more difficult. We have done that before, resulting in more “relationship” work needed to accomplish what could have been done much more easily. 

However, sitting in our office is a small frame with the following verse:

“Be still, and know that I am God” Psalm 46:10

Take some time to reflect on this verse. Tons of God’s wisdom in those eight words.

The following came to our mind:

🙏 Taking time to talk to God. We all have those situations that result in our emotions being elevated and saying something or doing something we later wish we hadn’t. Taking a breath, pushing pause, and taking time to seek God’s wisdom and peace can help calm your emotions and provide a more effective course of action.

“But seek first the wisdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you” Matthew 6:33

It makes sense. Before just taking a swing, take time to reflect and seek God’s discernment in the situation.

✋ See the advice and wisdom of your trusted Christian friends. We have frequently discussed the value of having a few close and trusted friends in the Fist Bump. Those you can seek wise counsel from when confronted with challenging situations. We have personally found that we help each other process challenging situations more effectively if we take the time to discuss them, evaluate different options, and then take action.

Reflect on this verse, which we have hanging in our office and that we have referred to frequently:

“As Iron sharpens Iron, so one person sharpens another” Proverbs 27:17

👂 Be still and listen. Most of us are men of ACTION.  We like to take control, move out, and make things happen. Nothing wrong with that, but when confronted with challenging and emotional situations, not so much! These are the times we need to slow down and to LISTEN. To God, to trusted friends, and to our own hearts. Never have we regretted taking the time necessary to LISTEN before ACTING in challenging and emotional situations. On the contrary, we have surely regretted when we have not. We bet you have too.

The Book of James is rich in wisdom, offering practical advice on navigating challenges and managing our relationships.  Pretty basic – The two key themes that pop out are controlling our tongues and emotions.  

A few key verses to reflect on are the following:

“My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to LISTEN, slow to speak, and slow to become angry.” James 1:19

“Do not merely listen to the word and deceive yourselves.  DO WHAT IT SAYS. Anyone who LISTENS to the word and does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in the mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and forgets what he looks like.” James 1:22-24

To bring closure, may we all learn to “slow our backswings down” when facing challenging and emotional situations. May we display the peace and wisdom of God’s presence in our lives each day by taking time to LISTEN to God, our own hearts, and our trusted friends before acting.

May we feel the peace of God surround us as we navigate tough situations. Have a great week, gents.