Who Gives Good Advice?

Paula Wiseman — Mon, 18 Jan 2010 10:51:54 +0000

Who do I listen to? Who influences my decisions? Who do I seek counsel from?

Scripture encourages us to seek out advice from others and nearly all the characters in my books do at one time or another. These mentors often prove difficult to write because I have to figure out the answer to the questions they get asked. I also want to construct my mentors so they’re credible. Whether in real life or in fiction, here are four things I look for in a counselor.

1. Godliness – Unless the person has a deep, committed walk with Christ, the advice he or she gives will be tainted no matter how sincere or well-meaning, or how long you’ve known them.

2. Maturity – I want spiritual maturity, a tested faith. I also want someone with some life experience behind them. That doesn’t mean our life experiences have to mirror each other, but I want to know the person has weathered some storms.

3. Compassion – A good counselor hurts with you, and sometimes he or she will hurt for you. They share your heart.

4. Humility – None of us knows everything, and a good counselor can say “I don’t know.” Rely on someone who will help you seek God’s face when those answers just aren’t there.

Proverbs 1:5 A wise man will hear and increase learning, And a man of understanding will attain wise counsel,

Proverbs 1:5 A wise man will hear and increase learning, And a man of understanding will attain wise counsel

1. Godliness – Unless the person has a deep, committed walk with Christ, the advice he or she gives will be tainted no matter how sincere or well-meaning, or how long you’ve known them.

3. Compassion – A good counselor hurts with you, and sometimes he or she will hurt for you. They share your heart.

4. Humility – None of us knows everything, and a good counselor can say “I don’t know.” Rely on someone who will help you seek God’s face when those answers just aren’t there.

Like Israel

Paula Wiseman — Thu, 13 Aug 2009 13:28:46 +0000

[We are travelling to a faraway land with no internet service - our house in Ohio- so here's a post I wrote a while back but never published. I'll be back Tuesday with a fresh study tip.]

When I read passages like Psalm 78, it is easy to berate Israel for their faithlessness to God after all He had done for them. However, if I’m honest it would be fairly easy to write a psalm like this of my own life. God has done great things, intervened on my behalf, providentially cared for me, and yet I’ve rebelled, been faithless, certainly provoked Him.

8 But He, being full of compassion, forgave their [my] iniquity,/ And did not destroy them [me]./

Yes, many a time He turned His anger away,/ And did not stir up all His wrath;

9 For He remembered that they were [I was] but flesh,/ A breath that passes away and does not come again.

Thank God He remembers my frailty.

I, like Israel:

did not keep the covenant

refused to walk in His law

forgot His works

sinned even more against Him

rebelled against Him in the wilderness

tested God

did not believe in God

did not trust His salvation

still sinned [after seeing His power manifest]

did not believe His wondrous works

sought Him

returned

earnestly sought for God

remembered that God was my rock, the Most High is my Redeemer

flattered Him with my tongue

lied to Him with my mouth

my heart was not steadfast

was not faithful in His covenant

grieved Him

limited Him

forgot His power

turned back

acted unfaithfully

turned to idols (the biggest one being myself)

But He is patient and gracious and receives me after I’ve learned these lessons… again.

Sage Words » compassion

Who Gives Good Advice?

Like Israel