Tag Archives: there is wisdom in many counselors

February 14, 2023 · 5:48 AM

Receiving Advice

I was watching a video where a, gentleman was discussing how our need for control is often what stunts our growth. We like to be in charge of our decisions and our life, so we often refuse outside counsel. Proverbs 15:22 tells us that our plans often fail because we have a lack of counselors. When we refuse to ask for advice, we stunt our potential. Whether it’s in life or even in following Christ. God sent the Holy Spirit to guide us, but we often disregard His promptings. He’s given us spiritual leaders, but do we ask them for answers? God wants us to succeed in the plans He has for us. That’s why He has sent us a Helper and given us community. Don’t let your need for control cause you to disregard godly advice and conviction

In Exodus, Moses was tasked with leading millions of Hebrews out of Egypt. He was quick to seek God to help him lead better. With that many people, there were disputes and problems. Moses would personally hear each case and decide who was right and who was wrong. When his father in law Jethro saw this, he decided to offer advice. In Exodus 18:18 he said, “You’re going to wear yourself out—and the people, too. This job is too heavy a burden for you to handle all by yourself” (NLT). He then gave him an idea for a structure of hearing cases that was efficient. Moses listened, gave up control and gained his ability to lead back. He was willing to take outside opinions and wisdom.

Proverbs 2:1 says, “My child, will you treasure my wisdom? Then, and only then, will you acquire it. And only if you accept my advice and hide it within will you succeed” (TPT). How often do you seek the wisdom of others? If you don’t, what’s driving that decision. The need for control is referred to as pride. We can wear ourselves out, and others too, when we try to do everything ourselves. God created the Body of Christ to have many functions and parts so we could work together. Don’t disregard another part of the body’s ideas or help because they’re not the same part as you. When we give up our need for control, we increase our potential and our reach. When we accept godly wisdom and advice, we will succeed.

Photo by Helena Lopes:

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September 13, 2016 · 5:32 AM

How To Make Better Decisions 


Through the years, I’ve worked with a lot of people. The ones that have always worried me are the ones who make their decisions based on emotion instead of logic. When a crisis happens, the ones who make emotion decisions react to the situation. They don’t think of the outcome or the consequences of their actions. They simply let fear, or another emotion, make their decision for them. On the other hand, there are those who don’t react to the situation. They think through the ramifications of their choice, look at the end result, then make their decision. 

I find that I try to be the latter, but often end up in the first category. I can let fear make my decisions for me instead of what I want the end result to be. When I feel like I’m making a decision based on emotion, I try to find an objective person in my life who can help me make the non-emotional decision. I think we all need someone like that. Peter had Jesus. Fortunately for Him, Jesus could rebuke him in love or heal a man’s ear.

Today though, I want to look at Esther. As queen, she had a certain level of influence over the king. But when trouble came and the Jews were facing genocide, she started to make her decision based on fear. Her cousin, and foster parent Mordecai, told her she needed to talk to the king on behalf of all Jews. In Esther 4:11 her emotional response was, “All the king’s officials and even the people in the provinces know that anyone who appears before the king in his inner court without being invited is doomed to die unless the king holds out his gold scepter. And the king has not called for me to come to him for thirty days” (NLT). Fear was dictating her response.

Mordecai offered wisdom though. He helped her see past the fear to make the best decision. In verse 14, he told her, “If you keep quiet at a time like this, deliverance and relief for the Jews will arise from some other place, but you and your relatives will die. Who knows if perhaps you were made queen for just such a time as this?” With his help, she was able to make the hard decision to face the king no matter what. She was able to look at the outcome instead of her fear. In the end, the Jews were saved and Esther has been honored ever since.

We all need to recognize how we make our decisions. Yes, God gave us emotions, but they’re not always the best things to use when making lasting decisions. We each need that person in our life who helps us make the godly decision that’s based on the outcome God wants. Don’t let fear keep you from choosing the path God has for you. Find a godly person who is objective and can ask you the right questions. Proverbs 15:22 says, “Plans go wrong for lack of advice; many advisers bring success.”

Who is that person in your life? If you don’t know, start with your pastor or a church leader.

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