(Previously Published on Mrs Words Blog)

The word WISE in the English Dictionary, means: ‘having or showing experience, knowledge, and good judgement; become aware of or informed about something; having the power of discerning and judging properly as to what is true or right; possessing discernment, judgment, or discretion; sensible or prudent; having knowledge in a specified subject; aware of, especially so as to know how to act.‘

To be wise is to have wisdom. Wisdom is: ‘the quality of having experience, knowledge, and good judgement; the quality of being wise.’ I believe that you are wise because you possess wisdom. How can I say that, you may ask. I say it because I believe that there is at least one area in your life (and hopefully more than one area) that you already have knowledge or understanding in.

Wisdom is life experience and after living through something, you can usually reflect and see where you went wrong or figure out what you would have changed to possibly get to a different outcome.

Solomon asked God for wisdom (See 1 Kings 3:9 (MSG)). This didn’t mean that Solomon was dumb and without knowledge. No! It meant that he wanted more. He decided that out of everything in the world that he could possibly gain – out of riches, wealth, women, livestock, strength, power, or any material thing – he chose to ask for wisdom. He wanted to possess better judgement, discernment and knowledge. He wanted to lead his people well.

Really, asking for wisdom had to be the wisest choice out. He already possessed wisdom but he sought more and God granted his request. Verse 10 tells us that ‘the Lord was pleased that Solomon had asked for this.’

God wants you to have wisdom too. Proverbs 2:6 tells us ‘For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding.‘ He gives wisdom to us, and the kind of wisdom that comes from Him is good.

James 3:17 says ‘But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere.’ I don’t know about you, but I want that kind of wisdom.

‘Blessed are those who find wisdom, those who gain understanding…‘

Proverbs 3:13 (NIV)

As we are sitting on the cusp of a new year, a new chance for unending possibilities, a new opportunity to write our story of life, a new chapter in our journey – I pray that we ask for wisdom.

That we are wise in making decisions about our future; that we make decisions that use good judgement; that we choose knowledge and are sensible and prudent in our planning; that we use discernment in pursuing our hopes and dreams; that we become fully aware of and fully informed of the potential and possibilities within us; that we use wisdom that we already possess and gain more as we traverse.

You are wise! You already have wisdom and I challenge you to tap into that wisdom as you navigate through the final days of 2017 and welcome in the new year.

I pray that in the next year, the 2,018th year of our Lord, you gain wisdom increasingly and abundantly and that you use that wisdom in every important decision that you make. 2018 will be a year of significant growth, development and change.

Like Esther, you were created for “such a time as this” (see Esther 4:14) and I pray that 2018 will be the year that you step into your incredible, amazing future. That you find new insight, new understanding, new knowledge and new calling.

May you grow in the wisdom that you already possess and become a mighty force, a strong, wise, confident human being, who knows who they are and who’s they are. You are wise, my lovely, so now, go and use that wisdom to do wonderful things!

Happy New Year! Love & Blessings for 2018! 💗