Be Careful

Be Careful

New York Giants defensive lineman Jason Pierre-Paul injured his right hand when he was playing with firecrackers during an Independence Day celebration in 2015. Pierre-Paul lost an index finger and fractured his thumb in the accident. Initial reports said that his actions might cost him some of his $15 million contract for the upcoming season, if he was able to continue playing. There were concerns about his ability to play his position effectively, because so much of the combat in the football trenches is done with your hands.

As a parent, I often tell my children, “Be careful,” because I know my kids can get injured by their own foolish decisions or by the actions of other people who act carelessly. I look back on some of my decisions as a teenager and those of my friends and am thankful that the Lord spared me any real troubles. His hand was upon me, and I am convinced it was because of the prayers of my parents.

Our heavenly Father also tells us to be careful and to do so by obtaining wisdom. Wisdom says, in Proverbs 8:36, “Those who miss [wisdom] injure themselves.” Self-inflicted injury is probably the worst type of injury because you know in your heart of hearts that it could have been avoided. I want to encourage you today to be careful by seeking, finding, and acting on the wisdom of God. If you are a parent, seek to point your children to this wisdom, and begin each day covering them in prayer.

Those who miss [wisdom] injure themselves.

Proverbs 8:36