And Company

I was at a local moms’ group this morning, getting in some fellowship time, and the speaker talked about the journey we are all on as believers. Since I endlessly talk about respect being a journey (and the fact that both my kids were in childcare), she had my full attention.

She pointed out many things. The part I want to share with you is that she talked about which tools you need to pack for the journey – including wise Christian counsel.

“Plans fall for lack of counsel but with many advisors they succeed.” Proverbs 15:22

“The way of the fool seems right to him, but a wise man listens to advice.” Proverbs 12:15

So here’s why I’m sharing this – who we spend our time with will have a MONSTROUS impact on the decisions we make and the actions we take.

If my girlfriends are sitting around husband bashing but I trying out this whole respect thing, how long do I think I will be able to not include SOMETHING in the conversation? And if I say something respectful, how will they look at me? And if I’m having a marriage issue, how will they counsel me?

Or if I’ve just moved to a new place and hate it, is it better to be around friends who share in my bitterness or friends who encourage me to find joy?

And what if I have no idea if I should help with this ministry, or that ministry, or start a blog, or write a book, or go to Haiti – who is God going to use to talk to me? People going it on their own and not seeking God’s wisdom? Wise counsel of Christian women (Titus women)?

This one hit me hard. I think that we all think we can sort out the good advice from the bad. But can we? When things are hard, aren’t we going to find the person who let’s us have our way instead of challenging us?

This is what we are doing here, by the way. Being a counsel of Christian women where we can find support for being different and going against the grain of society to make our marriages lights for Jesus.

Anyways, thanks Joy, for your talk today. God used you nobly.

Dare you to think of whom you share with and take counsel from. Pray about that close circle.

In the comments, share what God is teaching you about getting wise counsel.