Wisdom for Moms

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

If there were any one verse that offered comfort to moms, this is it. Since we constantly face new challenges and situations that are unique to us, we are in great need of wisdom. The world offers us unlimited information and advice, but it's easy to see that it offers us very little in the way of wisdom.

Parenting books and programs are available in abundance, and being an avid reader and researcher, I've read my fair share. However, very few of them have I found to make a positive impact. There are two reasons for this.

First, many of them are based on a feel-good or sloppy approach to parenting. They are child-centered instead of God-centered. They may have some good recommendations (and usually some bad ones, too), but the premise and philosophy are off base.

How do I know that? Because they're not Biblical. And because I've seen them fail time and time again.

There are also some great books out there for parents. Parenting by the Book, by John Rosemond. Dare to Discipline, by Dr. James Dobson. Shepherding a Child's Heart, by Tedd Tripp. So why aren't this more effective?

Because wisdom means putting the good things you learn into practice. And doing what's wise is a lot harder than knowing what's wise. It's hard to discipline children. It hurts a mom's heart to make her child uncomfortable or hurt (even emotionally.) We don't want them to do without (or scream about it for half an hour, or half a minute, for that matter.) But, wisdom knows that paying in the short term is often best for positive long term results.

God offers that wisdom (and limitless parenting advice in His Word) freely. All we need to do is ask. That doesn't mean that we ask and then sit and wait for the answers to fall on us and take effect. It means that we seek Him, read His Word, and obey His instructions. Isn't that what we want our children to do?

He is faithful. And if we ask, He will provide everything we need according to the glorious riches in Christ Jesus.