Our minds hate uncertainty. So when we are confronted with the unknown, we want to make it known. As quickly as possible. Even if we have to fill in the blanks with our suppositions, biases, or speculation. This applies to multiple areas of life, from relationships to our workplace and from our health to our prayer life.
If we don’t know why something happened a certain way, we speculate. If someone acted a certain way, we rush to explain it — usually in a way that flatters our own perspective. It all can feel satisfying, but it’s usually self-deception.
Here’s the bottom line…
You don’t know all things. You only know some things, and even then, your knowledge is often sketchy at best. You don’t know the future. You don’t know all the past. You don’t all of what’s happening now. You don’t know the thoughts of other people. You often don’t even know your own thoughts.
The Bible tells us to cope with this lack of knowledge and the uncertainty of life by trusting in God.
Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. (Proverbs 3:5-6, KJV)
But, rather than trust God with all our heart and not lean on our own understanding, we often default to our knowledge, our experiences, our feelings.
As a result, we misread people and situations. And often get ourselves into trouble or deeper trouble.
When we interpret everything through our own emotions, we risk distorting reality. We see not what’s true — but what we feel. And that can harm relationships, stir division, and keep us from peace.
The wise person slows down, listens carefully, and asks, “What might I be missing here?” More importantly, they pray, “Lord, help me see this situation as You see it.”
Be wary of jumping to conclusions and making assumptions about things beyond your knowledge. Instead, be humble, patient, and thoughtful. And prayerful.
Real wisdom means letting God’s perspective correct our own.
Thank you for Reading!
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