3 Critical Keys to Unlock the Wisdom You Need

Looking back through my prayer journal, I can’t even begin to tell you the number of times I have cried out for wisdom. I’m guessing your prayer journal looks similar.

Daniel also needed wisdom. The king had asked for someone not only to interpret his dream but also to tell him exactly what he had dreamed (Dan. 2:1-13). Imagine! When was the last time you got a request like that? Daniel with “wisdom and tact” (Daniel 2:14-6) asked the king’s officials for time to think and pray. He asked his friends to pray with him, and then he praised God for being the God of wisdom. God answered him with wisdom beyond belief! Daniel was able to tell the king his dream as well as interpret the meaning of the dream (Dan. 2:36-47).

3 Keys to Unlocking Wisdom

Take Time to Reflect and Pray: When you need wisdom, it’s easy to feel rushed and make an impulsive decision. Don’t do it. Slow down, take time, pray and ask God for His wisdom.In your prayer time, use Scripture and pray it back to God. I have found there is extraordinary power in praying the Scriptures. A few of my favorites in the realm of wisdom are:

O the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and unfathomable are His ways!
“For who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has become His counselor?” “Or who has first given to Him, and it shall be repaid to him?”^[For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. o Him be glory forever! Amen (Rom. 11:33-36).

^“If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all men liberally and without criticism, and it will be given to him” (James 1:5).

Ask Friends and Mentors for Their Counsel and Prayers: Just as Daniel went to his friends and asked for their counsel and prayers, so we need to lean into our community when we need wisdom.

Steve and I have often gone to our mentors and godly friends and asked them for advice and prayers when seeking the heart of God on a matter. We usually look for trends in what those closest to us say, and then ask God if He is speaking through our friends. Their support and prayers have meant the world to us through the years. This is a biblical principle (Prov. 11:14).

Praise God in Advance for the Wisdom He Will Give: When we dare to praise God in advance of His working, the Holy Spirit brings our spirit into perfect union with His, and we are more able to hear God’s wisdom. I don’t always understand how this works, but I know it to be true. Practice thanking and praising God for the wisdom He will give in advance of Him giving it, and watch what happens.

Friend, the truth is that you need lots of wisdom to navigate your life, and so do I. The next time you need wisdom, use these three keys and then record how God gives you wisdom. It will build your faith and trust in the one who is absolute wisdom. {eoa}

Becky Harling, an author, certified speaker, leadership coach and trainer with the John Maxwell Team, is an energetic and motivational international speaker inspiring audiences to overcome their greatest life challenges and reach their full God-given potential. Her most recent book is How to Listen So People Will Talk. Her husband, Steve Harling, is the president of Reach Beyond, a nonprofit organization seeking to be the voice and hands of Jesus around the world.

This article originally appeared at beckyharling.com.