Wise Living

By me [wisdom] your days will be multiplied,And years of life will be added to you.If you are wise, you are wise for yourself,And if you scoff, you will bear it alone.

Proverbs 9:11-12 (NKJV)

It’s been said, “People cannot decide their future. But they can decide their habits, and their habits decide their future.” So true. Although it’s right to live right and that alone is a reward, there are also many, many benefits to making wise, right choices.

So let’s take a moment to look at some of the just plain practical, personal benefits of wise living for us as women.

• Health. Wise living teaches us to be good stewards of our health. It is not wise to smoke or eat lots of junky food. It is wise to exercise and eat well. It is unhealthy to internalize anger and worry. It’s healthy to live simply and forgive easily.
• Beauty. A wise life is a beautiful life. I know several godly, gracious, wise women over eighty, and I have to say, I think they’re beautiful. Pastor Chuck Smith’s wife, Kay, is one of them. She is peaceful and contented and joyful. Actually, she glows.
• Blessing. Lastly, Jesus said, “It is more blessed to give than to receive” (Acts 20:35, NKJV). Being selfish, living just to please ourselves, is a lonely and empty life—bottom line: foolish. Living to be a blessing doesn’t always add more days to your life, but it sure does add more life to your days.

Make It Personal . . . Live It Out!

As you read this, do you regret that you did not learn to be wise sooner? Do you feel that you have made too many bad, foolish choices and now you don’t qualify for the “abundant life” that Jesus promised? That is soooooo wrong! One of the great wonders of God is that he loves to pour out grace. Have you been foolish with your health, a relationship, your tongue? Ask God to help you sort out one old foolish habit and replace it with a wise habit. It might sound trite, but today truly is the first day of the rest of your life. Be intentional about change. Get started today.

One Year Bible Reading

Exodus 39:1–40:38; Mark 1:1-28; Psalm 35:1-16; Proverbs 9:11-12