How to Get Wisdom Without Having to Wait Until You're Old

I once thought that wisdom was a natural result of growing older.  I have known a few wise people and most of them were pretty old.  I figured that if a person, if I, could live long enough, accumulate some worthwhile knowledge and experience, and avoid repeating the mistakes of earlier life, I could be counted among the wise.  But that's not how it works.  Experience and knowledge combined with some lessons learned at the school of hard knocks might make one street smart even somewhat of a philosopher.  But true wisdom does not originate with us; it comes from God.

The brand of wisdom that the Bible says "comes from heaven" has some characteristics that set it apart from the wisdom of age, experience and knowledge.  "[It] is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere."  (James 3:17, 18).   There's only one way to get that kind of wisdom; ask God for it (James 1:5).  The Bible says that if you and I lack godly wisdom, we should ask God for it and He will deliver.  But we must not doubt when asking.  We must trust that He means what He says and will do what He says He will do.

No matter how old or young you are, wisdom is yours for the asking; God's variety of wisdom.  It was a long time into my life before I learned this.  Too many years passed until I discovered that God would give me wisdom if I would just ask Him, believing that He would provide.  Don't wait until you're old.  You don't have to!