A Passionate Desire NOT To Be Stupid–Part One September 14, 2006
I have made some REALLY stupid decisions in life. In fact, I am sure I am not the only one that has a degree in being dumb. There are so many of us in this world that seem to consistently make wrong, life altering decisions…and on the back end of that decision we sit around and ask the same ‘ole question, “How in the world could I have been that stupid?”
Up until a few years ago I had a pretty consistent track record of making stupid decisions when it came to finances…ESPECIALLY in regards to purchasing cars. I remember one time signing a note on a car for 12% interest over and 84 month time period…and I THOUGHT that was a great deal. OR when I would simply transfer my credit card balances from one card to another…and even though I was actually making NO progress in reducing my debt…I thought I was being smart.
I am sure we’ve all made stupid decisions–in our dating life–our careers–in how we raise kids–we are all there!
One of my consistent prayers in leading this church is that God would protect us all from my stupidity. I have this incredible ability to make dumb decisions…and like it or not…the decisions that you make DO affect others.
So how do I personally combat this? The Bible says in Proverbs 4:5-7 that we should GET wisdom at all cost–that we should pursue wisdom–that our desire in life should not be merely to float along and just see what happens…but rather for us to get wisdom so that we can make informed, wise decisions. How do we do this? Three things–
#1 – Ask God For Wisdom
The Bible says in James 1:5 that if we lack wisdom then we should ask God & He will give it to us!
Example–men, I have never met a man who said, “Hey dude–I totally understand women.” (If you make that claim then you are a liar!!!) Women are complex. Some might say, “Perry, women read your blog.” Well–then…if you are a woman then you KNOW you are complex. How many of you have ever cried, someone asks you why you are crying & your reply is that you do not know? See…some of you can’t even understand you!
Don’t get me wrong–I am not going off on women…women are wonderful; in fact, I married a woman! :-) But–being married in this world is a challenge because men and women are so different. (If I hear one more couple say they are getting a divorce because they are incompatible I am going to throw up…on them!!! OF COURSE you are incompatible…you are a dude–she is not a dude–get over it!)
Sorry for the outburst…anyway–so, since I married a woman…and women are difficult at times to understand…one of the things I consistently do is ask God to give me wisdom in regards to understanding Lucretia (my wife.) I ask Him to allow me to see things through her eyes…and to make better decisions in regards to the leadership of our family.
Relax men–doing this has not caused me to want to start taking bubble baths and watching movies like “The Notebook,” but it HAS improved the way I treat my wife. Go for it–ask God for wisdom.
#2 – Read The Bible!
OK–let me just say this and I will move on…NO ONE has EVER made a mistake when they apply biblical principals to their life–EVER!!! There is wisdom in God’s Word!!!
No one has ever came to me & said, “Hey Pastor P, I began honoring God with my money…I cut up my credit cards…I downsized my house & car so that I can afford to be generous…and NOW I am in serious financial bondage.”
No one has ever said to me, “Hey P, I began loving my wife as Christ loves the church–I began to serve her, put her needs before mind…and since I have done that she has flipped out and wants to leave me.”
No one has ever said, “Hey Bishop PB Noble” (sorry–I had to say it!), I began forgiving people that I have held grudges against for a long time…and since I have I have been so angry and fly into fits of rage for no reason at all.
NO ONE has ever said these things…and no one ever will…because when we apply Biblical wisdom to our lives things begin to fall into place. Isn’t that cool how God arranged it that way?
I have one more way that I would love to share that we can attain wisdom…I will share it tomorrow.