By  LPJ

When something goes wrong, or chaos and trouble set in, my first thought is, there’s no wisdom. Be it in me or someone else. I equate wisdom with good, sound judgment, peace, contentment and joy. But that’s not always so, for there can be times when we follow the voice of wisdom, and obstacles arise to deter the goal aimed for. In such situation, it takes a steadfast resolve to stay on the right path. And somehow, with wisdom, we overcome, for wisdom will always be there. Unwavering, like a guiding light, a most desirable nag.

My daughter Joy used to tell me that wisdom comes in whispers. Intrigued by her comment at first but now convinced, I, too, believe that wisdom dawns in the quiet of the heart. It is in the quiet of the heart that one listens best. It is in the quiet of the heart that one speaks the loudest. And the quiet gives the whisper full volume sacred and pure. My daughter calls it “Whisdom”.

It is often said that gratitude is the beginning of wisdom.

It is gratefulness that spurts sparkles of contentment, and opens up a positive outlook fringed on humor and cheer, even patience, even joy. The whispers of wisdom come clearer when the cobwebs of the mind and heart are swept away. Decisions and choices become attuned to good sense as distractions diminish when ignored. It really doesn’t take much to say thank you or feel grateful. It just takes a good heart. And a good heart is wisdom’s best ally.

Often I think that common sense is wisdom, gifted by God to sharpen the intellect’s perception of what’s good and workable. It is an intrinsic quality of the intellect that can surface sound or best insights, understanding and perception. It is basic in discerning what is good versus evil. Greed, the desires of the flesh, or the pursuit of what’s whimsically pleasurable or harmful mute the dictates of common sense. The consequence can be staggering or painful or, at the least, uncomfortable. For all practical reasons and good living, it is best to follow wisdom.

Wisdom comes in different forms. There is worldly wisdom, and there’s the godly wisdom. It doesn’t take a lot of intelligence to differentiate the two. The first can derive satisfaction, too; but it’s the kind that doesn’t last. The kind that doesn’t give that inner peace. The kind that spins a disquieting aura in the midst of pleasure. The latter kind of wisdom is what I aim for.

Godly wisdom is a gift that I constantly pray for – for myself, for my loved ones and others. It is what I depend on when my path is rocky, or my vision blurred, or my mood shaky, or confidence shattered. It is what picks me up when I stumble, and brightens the path when I grope my way. In short, it is my anchor for strength and stability, because I know, wisdom comes from God. It is the voice of God in the whispers of the Holy Spirit and the ever present love of Jesus.

To follow wisdom is to obey God. To follow wisdom is to trust Him. To follow wisdom is to love Him, the source of life, joy and love.

Try this. Stay calm, and hear the whispers of wisdom. Listen to “whisdom”.

Linda P. Jacob