Discernment and Wisdom

Discernment is a term used to describe the activity of determining the value of a certain subject or event. Typically, it is used to describe the activity of going past the mere perception of something, to making detailed judgments about that thing. As avirtue, a discerning individual is considered to possess wisdom, and be of good judgement; especially so with regard to subject matter often overlooked by others.

Be prayerful of EVERYTHING no matter how right your own heart and motives may be.  

When making a decision, go before your spiritual covering and lean on their wisdom and discernment.  We were not meant to walk through life alone so why make decisions that, whether they seem to or not, can at least deeply impact if not alter your life?

Do not be led by emotions as emotions can be driven by evil spirits even if from a pure heart thus to be used against us.  

Decisions led by God bring about peace and joy.  If there is even the slightest bit of uncertainty, WAIT, PRAY and do not move until you have been given peace and joy or God has led you otherwise...to another place of peace and joy.

Discernment is needed in order to differentiate between human spirit, evil spirit and the Holy Spirit.  Our flesh can "feel" one way but just because you "feel" does not mean that they Holy Spirit is in it and visa versa; you may not "feel" anything but that doesn't mean that it ISN'T the Holy Spirit.  We can not be led by feelings just as we can not be led by our emotions because our feelings and sensations too can be used for the purpose of evil. 

Wisdom is a deep understanding and realizing of people, things, events or situations, resulting in the ability to choose or act or inspire to consistently produce the optimum results with a minimum of time, energyor thought. It is the ability to optimally (effectively and efficiently) apply perceptions and knowledge and so produce the desired results. Wisdom is also the comprehension of what is true or right coupled with optimum judgment as to action. Synonyms include: sagacity, discernment, or insight. Wisdom often requires control of one's emotional reactions (the "passions") so that one's principles, reason and knowledge prevail to determine one's actions.

While wisdom  may be synonyms with discernment, I think wisdom not only comes from God but experiences and time.  I think of discernment more in terms of a gut feeling whereas wisdom is a sort of holy knowledge; knowledge that comes from a heart,mind and soul that has learned from life, from God, through the hard times, through the blessed times; a well rounded sort.  Someone who makes the best choices possible with ALL that is available to them through knowledge AND discernment. 

Wisdom is mentioned 222 in the Bible.  Two means difference-another.  Wisdom and discernment go together.  We need discernment to walk in wisdom and wisdom would have us to seek out discernment.

We are told not to cast our pearls before swine. According to Confucius, a wise man never tells his wisdom unless asked person to person.  And from a wise pastor from my "past life" only give your wisdom to someone who is willing to do as suggested.  Otherwise, what help can you offer them?  For me, I can't take in every "stray" and fix the problems of those my path crosses with.  I have to learn this part.  Sometimes the best help is to not help and to keep one's mouth closed.  Only when it is truly desired (and even truly should be proven) should it then be given.  

Wisdom is learned in three ways (Confucius): reflection (as a Christian, I believe through time spent with our Heavenly Father), imitation and experience.  Reflection is seen as the noblest of ways while experience is called the bitter way.  I've definitely earned what wisdom I have through experience and it certainly has proven to be bitter.  As my little ones insist on learning from my good ol' alma mater School of Hard Knocks, I try and encourage them to learn through the more noble way so that they may gain their wisdom through more of God and less of pain.

My prayer is to have a discerning spirit so that I may be better able to walk in wisdom.  

Three Goals

On the way to church last night, my husband and I were talking about finances and hypothetically what a 5th child would mean for our future and part of that would be him getting a second job (seeing as his place of employment refuses to pay their guys/ladies what they deserve let alone even in a competitive range with other like places). But, something about that choice still seemed so extreme. Surely not...at least, not in the early years. So, this morning I woke up with a challenge. This may seem ridiculous to some for something like this to be SOOO hard but I'm going to propose a sort of fast for our family; no more fast food and one sit down restaurant dinner a month. For our entire marriage, eating out has been a regular thing but it is draining us of money faster than anything else. It's easy. It's fast and some days, there's just nothing like a big, fat, juicy hamburger. But, is it really worth it? We have some goals of things we want to get and blowing $20 here, $40 there, more there....how in the world do we ever plan on meeting these goals?!? We've fallen behind on other things...most importantly, giving to God. In a time when our church family is in need, it is just another reason to make this sacrifice. And, need I even mention the health benefits of not having all of this junk in our systems? It has gotten so bad that EVERY TIME we get in the car to go somewhere and regardless of what time of day or night, the kids ask for fast food. I'd say this has definitely become an addiction.

Goal two: STOP SCREAMING!!!! Oh wait...let's try that again....stop screaming ; ) Old habits die hard and this one I've struggled with since long before I even had my first child. My third child's speech therapist told me that she too has a hard time with this one so when she feels like letting out a good bellow, she whispers. She said her son looks at her like she's crazy when she does this LOL! This will be an area I will probably fail the most in but I've got to change this as I'm already teaching my children that it is ok to yell at each other and then my correcting them makes me more of a hypocrite than anything. I have to live the example.

Lastly, I need to smile at my children. Not just more but really, I need to actually look them in the eyes and smile at them. Yes, they know I love them but do they know I LIKE them? If my face doesn't show it, then is it really there? This came to me after my husband and I had been talking about the Winnie the Poo personalities. I used to be a Tigger. I used to happy and giddy and playful. But I've lost it. I've given it away. I've let Satan have that child-like heart of mine. Why? Because of trying to get people to actually like me. What good has that served me and my family? None. In my efforts to be more "mature" and to change the really nasty views that others seem to have of me, I've lost that spirit and that grieves my heart because what I loved the most about childhood, instead of leading my children through those memories by creating our own, I'm just a bump on a log now. So, I figure that if I can just start with smiling at them, then the hardness of my heart will begin to melt away and hopefully and prayerfully, more of ME will come back and I can actually have FUN with my little ones! They won't be little for long and when they're all grown, I'll be crushed that I didn't do more with them...more fun and silly and childish LIFE.

So, here's to day one!