What Are You Teaching Me?

Know wisdom and instruction…

discern the words of understanding…

receive the instruction of wisdom 

(Proverbs 1:1-3).

Life is a continual lesson, and the Lord daily gives us opportunities to learn from our experiences. But in order to do so, we must be open to instruction.  Most of us tend to learn the hard way, through negative circumstances, but if we are willing to be taught, everything we encounter can teach us something useful.

Lately, the Lord has been instructing me in certain areas, and giving me plenty of opportunity to apply new insights.  As a reminder to myself, I recently made the following list:

What Are You Teaching Me, Lord?

I am learning that strength and energy are limited resources.
You are teaching me to be more conservative of both.

I am learning that hurrying is exhausting.
You are teaching me to begin earlier.

I am learning that deadlines can be intimidating.
You are teaching me to approach them with confidence.

I am learning that commitments become taskmasters.
You are teaching me to accept them only after seeking Your guidance.

I am learning that being strongly opinionated is constrictive.
You are teaching me to be more flexible.

I am learning that debate is draining.
You are teaching me that some issues are not worth the cost.

I am learning that I make great demands of myself.
You are teaching me to be more realistic.

I am learning that in my earthly life, I can never be all that I desire to be.
You are teaching me to accept my humanness.

I am learning that not everyone will love me or treat me with kindness.
You are teaching me to accept rejection.

I am learning that personal relationships are precious commodities.
You are teaching me to treat them accordingly.

I am learning that life is a series of change.
You are teaching me to depend on Your unchanging nature.

I am learning there is knowledge to be gained from every experience.
You are teaching me there is wisdom to glean from every new insight.

Perhaps, after reading my list, you will want to make a list of your own.  If you have never done so or are at a loss as to where to begin, the first step may be to ask God for insight, claiming in faith the conviction of the psalmist:

 In the hidden part [of me] You will make me to know wisdom 

(Psalm 51:6)

 Regardless of whether or not we make a list, it is beneficiary to watch for opportunities to grow, and to thank God for making every circumstance, even negative ones, beneficial:
 

We know that all things work together for good to those who love God, 

to those who are called according to His purpose 

(Romans 8:28)

Lord, give me grace each day to grow from lessons that I learn.
Let knowledge gained enable me Your wisdom to discern.
Open up my eyes, Dear Lord, in all that’s said and done,
that daily I can grow to be more like Your Precious Son.