Tuesday, January 20, 2009

Wisdom in Words

In chapter three of Self Talk, Soul Talk Jennifer Rothschild discusses Choosing Wise Words. (Join others at Lelia's to read more. ) Beliefs stem from assumptions. Thoughts and actions are based on our beliefs.
Root = assumptions
Fruit = thoughts
By practical means, we determine the kind of 'tree' by its fruit and not the root. Imagine if we had to dig up every tree and examine the roots before we decide if this is the fruit we want to purchase or eat.

I never thought about it but Jennifer said "the fruit of perfectionism springs from the root of low self-esteem and insecurity." Well, I do have perfectionism tendencies. I do struggle with low self-esteem and some insecurities. So you do the math...I have the root, then I have the fruit. An orange cannot grown on an apple tree without changing the root system to match that of an orange. So, we cannot change our fruit (thoughts) without changing our root system (assumptions). Shall we get out our shovel or maybe we need a back hole for our deep root system that's been growing for years. We need only to remove the roots of faulty assumptions so new roots of true assumptions can grow.

Jennifer shares three ways to gain wisdom: request it, revere God, and receive counsel.

Request It
I love, love, love the book of James. It is one well-rounded book that hits on every basic subject for living the Christian life. If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. James 1:5 Simply ask. No condemnation. No judgment. No fault finding. Freely, abundantly given. He lavishly and liberally provides wisdom.

Revere God
When we reverence God we receive wisdom. The fear of the Lord is wisdom. Proverbs 9:10 Said another way...to revere God is wisdom. Respect. Regard. Revere. Jennifer says "to fear the Lord means holding His knowledge and truth in higher regard than our own." I had to pen this statement forever in time as part of this post. I read it over and over. Yes, of course, I regard His knowledge higher than mine, right? Or do I? Do I at times think I know better? Do I think my idea of how this or that situation should play out is better? Do I trust His knowledge in my greatest heart's desire? The answer is yes, I do revere His knowledge. Only in my times of weakness do I think I know better and know it should be done "this" way. Only in the desperation of my heart, do I say I know better because I want "this" now and in this way. That is my flesh. My heart says I trust You, Lord. Your knowledge for me is so vast and so much greater than I could ever perceive.

Receive Counsel
Pasty Clairmont gained wisdom from wise counsel. She shared with Jennifer how she combats negative thoughts. "It's a three step approach: refuse things inaccurate, unkind or unedifying; replace them with what is good, pure, just; repeat that process for as long as it takes to bring my thoughts under control."

Wisdom brings:
♥ healing (Proverbs 12:18)
♥ sweet speech (Proverbs 16:21)
♥ honor (Proverbs 3:35)
♥ future and hope (Proverbs 24:14)
♥ understanding (Proverbs 14:8)
♥ protection (Proverbs 14:3)
♥ strength (Proverbs 24:4)

God provides us with an entire book in the Bible devoted to wisdom. To gain wisdom is to read and meditate on the greatest book of wisdom: Proverbs. We see in the prologue that Solomon's purpose in Proverbs is: for attaining wisdom and discipline. Proverbs 1:2a

He who gets wisdom loves his own soul. Proverbs 19:8a
Girlfriends, LOVE YOUR SOUL.

A wise man's heart guides his mouth, and his lips promote instruction. Proverbs 16:23 I leave you with one Jennifer's last statements in this chapter. "To speak wisely to your soul will shrivel some of those sick roots and nourish the good roots that may be struggling."

Ponder these questions in your heart.
Do you have sick roots that need shriveled?
Do you have good roots that are struggling?
Are you speaking wisely to your soul?

Seeking Wisdom,

22 comments:

Pam said...

good stuff paula! I am liking the new background too!

Tonja said...

Wonderful thoughts to ponder today! Thanks for sharing!

Laura said...

Oh, now I know I'm gonna love this chapter! I"m behind on my reading...something about birthdays distracted me this week. This one sounds awesome. I promise to post on it soon! Hopefully tomorrow!

(No more crap talk:)

Liz said...

Paula,
It seems you and I were on the same page in this chapter. Your words confirm what God was telling me as I read and decided to apply.
Loving it...and loving you.

KelliGirl said...

Paula,
Great review of the chapter with your own personal insight and application. I really enjoyed reading your thoughts!

pam said...

Jennifer says "to fear the Lord means holding His knowledge and truth in higher regard than our own."

That's it...if my fear of Him is deeper than I will regard His Truths more than the lies.

Skoots1moM said...

thanks for coming by...
yes, it's bush on the far left and carter on the right

TeriAnnElizabeth said...

I loved reading your thoughts on this chapter. I had so many, I haven't even tried to put them on my blog yet.

I loved how you ask yourself the tough questions. You truly "examine yourself" as the Scriptures tells us.

I heard a pastor say this: If we treat GOD as a genie in a lamp, praying our requests and expecting GOD to grant them at our command...then who is really GOD?
It would be us...we decide what we want, how we want it and when we want it...HE is merely our loyal servant granting our wishes..

Made me think alot!

Love you and praying with you!
Teri

Sharon said...

I need to get this book. This is really good, and I feel alittle convicted, and this post really makes ya think, so I will take it with me so that I may ponder this, this afternoon.
Have a blessed day
Love ya
Sharon

Yolanda said...

I'm not participating this study with all of you, but I did want to stop in and say thank you!

Lovingly,
Yolanda

Nicole said...

Hi Paula. Thanks for writing out Jennifer's quote on perfectionism. I've known that perfectionism is not good and it greatly bothers me in others, eventhough I know I have some tendecies in this area too but instead of trying to get it perfect I just don't try cause I know I can't get it perfect. Very BADDDDDD!!! I'm caught somewhere between realizing I'll never be or do anything perfectly and applying my realization.....
I truly need the Lord's help!

Love,
Nicole

Joyfulsister said...

Hi Paula,
It was good to see you, I was so blessed by your comment. Hey I love your blog makeover!!!! Glad you didn;t get rid of the daisy I really like it ever since I started coming to your blog *smile*.
What a wonderful post there is so much to ponder and so depth. Your insights are amazing!!!

Hugz Lorie

Abba's Girl said...

Great post. I used to be a perfectionist and I know what comes with it. I think it began for me in the ballet studio and always trying to improve and be the best in the studio, on stage, in class in New York, etc. There is such freedom in being perfected by Christ and not walking around this planet trying to perfect myself.

The Dementia Nurse said...

I'm with you on the book of James, Paula! I don't even want to think of what we would do without the Holy Word of God to guide us. Oh yea - we would be slaves to perfectionism and other fruits of Satan's lies. I thoroughly enjoyed reading your thoughts on the matter!

Aunt Angie said...

Oh Paula...I AM thankful for the BACKHOE of the Holy Spirit that addressed my root system! I needed what I read here today. It goes right along with something Beth Moore hit on last night in our study on Esther.

The Holy Spirit does the work in our lives as we give Him complete access to every single area of our hearts.

This was GREAT----very needed!!

Joy Junktion said...

Hey Paula,

First, I have to say that James is my favorite book too. I am excited about teaching through that book beginning next month to our ladies at church. Yipee!!!

The statement about perfectionism and insecurities also hit me square between my eyes or heart shall we say.

Great chapter and post.

Blessings, Cindy

Amy said...

SO much to think about!

SO much!

But for now, please let me say, that your new blog background looks beautiful!:)

(((BIG HUGS!)))
God Bless,
Amy:)

Melanie said...

Wow... so much good stuff in this post, Paula! You have given this gal's soul many, many good thoughts to ponder on for the next few day!

Carol said...

Paula my friend. You are so insightful. I loved this chapter, and I love the image of the backhoe, just rip that nasty old root out.

I to had to really think on the Reverence of God. I never really thought deeply on it, and that made me question myself, but now I can see when I let my thoughts go higher than Gods in my own shallowness.

Love the new look reminds me of scrapbooking, you know how I love that. It's reminds me of your personality. Sweet feminine (sp?) and a little bling :)

Love you my friend.
Carol

Pamela (His maidservant) said...

Great thoughts Paula. We have to ask ourself "What fruit, if any, are we producing?" and "how do our roots look?". Great, great thoughts to take into this weekend!!

In His Graces~Pamela

P.S.-love the new background!!

Lelia Chealey said...

To gain wisdom is to read and meditate on the greatest book of wisdom: Proverbs.


That is so true. My girlfriend who is a Family Life speaker at the Weekend to Remember conferences said one time that I need to "chew on what I read". So often I read through things but never apply it. So, I try to "chew" instead of just taste and move on.

Great post Paula. Thanks for putting verses backing up all you can gain from wisdom. When there is Scripture behind points being made it just changes the whole picture.

You know I love ya,
Lelia

Angela Baylis said...

I want to print this post out and read it again and again and again! Thank you so much for your obedience and for sharing your heart with us girls out in blog land!
Love,
Angie xoxo