Proverbs 2:2

Scripture: 

Proverbs 2:2 – “Make your ear attentive to wisdom, incline your heart to understanding.” (NASB)

Observation:

It took a long time, but I finally understood. Living with four women, a wife and three daughters, has taught me a thing or two. Most men like to fix things, if we see a problem or hear a problem, our first instinct is to try and fix it. When one of my daughters or my wife begins to share a problem, my first reaction is to try and fix it. That has led me into some pretty deep trouble. You see, over the years I have learned that what they really need me to do is just listen not try to fix it but try to understand what they are sharing.

Today's verse is a great verse to remember for us men, "make our ears attentive to wisdom and incline our hearts to understanding!" Rather than try to fix my daughters’ problems, I learned to listen, to hear exactly what they were saying, and to be sympathetic to what they were trying to relate to me. Then and only then, that's when they ask me to try and help or fix it, but only if they ask. I have learned to be attentive to their wisdom about the situation, and in doing so have learned to understand them better. Maybe you have been trying to fix "that" problem instead of just listening and showing compassion for someone else's problems. Maybe that's why God gave us two ears and one mouth—so we can listen twice as much as we speak. 

Application:

1) Think about what you just read.

2) Ask the Holy Spirit for clarity and insight.

3) Share this with someone who would benefit from reading it.

4) Make sure others see Jesus in YOU today.

TOM SEMBER has been involved in ministering to men for over 20 years. He is an ordained minister with the AG in the NY Ministry Network. Tom lives with his wife, Carolyn, and children in New York. You can connect with Tom on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn.