Wisdom Khaled Sabri Instructor Curtis Jones Christian Excellence March 18, 2013 Wisdom Wisdom is the practical translation and application of the word of God to everyday life. It is an integration of knowledge, experience, and deep understanding that incorporates tolerance for the uncertainties of life as well as its ups and downs.
There's an awareness of how things play out over time, and it confers a sense of balance. There are four components to wisdom: (1) Words from the wise, (2) Asking wisely, (3) being a person of understanding and (4) showing a little kindness. Beginning with words from the wise; H.Norman Wright states in his book “How to get Along with Almost Anyone” that; “The words you use connect you to other people.
But how are you connected: by a cord that binds you together or a barrier which keeps you at a distance? ” Wright provides us with an example of real life describing the experience at the Department of Motor Vehicles: “You’ll have to get in the other line. Didn’t you read the instructions? Or You’ll have to come back Monday Morning. When we use the word you as a part of an order or command, we usually end up punching someone’s resistance button”. Asking wisely connects with the words we use. H.
Norman Wright states in his book “How to get Along with Almost Anyone” that; “Questions are an important part of human interaction. Some people use questions to deepen and enrich their relationships. But many people use questions to pry, maneuver, gain advantage, attack, trap, setup, or break down the defenses of the others. ” We need to ask questions open ended as opposed to closed. A good example is “How do you like the restaurant? ” as opposed to “Isn’t this restaurant awful? ” One allows the other person to state their own thoughts and perspective while the other closes the other person out and just shows your own viewpoint.
The third component is that we need to be a person of understanding. We need to understand where the other person is coming from and be able to put the attention on them and not just on ourselves. H. Norman Wright states in his book “How to get Along with Almost Anyone” that; “The major characteristic of a person of understanding is revealed in Proverbs 14:29: He who is slow to anger has great understanding, but he who is hasty of spirit exposes and exalts his folly”. The Fourth component is that we also need to show a little kindness .
We all know what it feels like to be taken for granted.H. Norman Wright states; “Do you know what it feels to be taken for granted? you continue to give of yourself over a period of time and yet there is no response to, or recognition for, your efforts. Even we should be able to give freely and lovingly without expecting anything in return, most people respond well when their efforts are acknowledged”(Wright, H.
N. , 1989) A little kindness can take you a long way in our path to getting along with others. These four components of wisdom are all steps in better ways to get along with others.By better understanding each other, and by possessing wisdom, you will be able to have better relationships with the people around you.
The component that I feel is most applicable to me is asking wisely. A lot people have problems with this issue and it makes hard to respond to their words. By giving me your opinion other than asking me a simple question sometimes makes me feels oblige to answer the question the same way you want, thus depriving me from the right to say my honest opinion. Let’s go back to the example provided earlier, if you said: “Isn’t this restaurant awful? I feel I have no place to state my opinion or tell you exactly how I feel. In summary, understanding that true wisdom is understanding and following the Word of God can take you a long was in getting along with others. It is a two part system; translation and application.
It is important to understand the Word of God; and it is equally important to apply it to our daily lives. References H. Norman Wright (1989). How To Get Along With Almost Anyone. Nashville, Tennessee: Royal Publishers Inc. Sackett Christopher (January, 22, 2013).
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