Giving or Getting Advice

REFERENCE: Proverbs 25:11-12 Timely advice is lovely, like golden apples in a silver basket. 12 To one who listens, valid criticism is like a gold earring or other gold jewelry.

Observation: For advice to be “lovely” it has to be timely. If we want to have our advice taken to heart then look for the right time to give it. Too often we offer input when a person is in the middle of a crisis. Usually what they need at that moment is comfort not direction. It is wisest to wait for the time, sometime after the crisis has passed,  when they are able to calmly reflect on their future direction or what mistakes may have contributed to their past problems. That is the moment when our advice might actually be listened to.

On the other hand, we are wise when we are willing to value valid criticism whenever and however it comes. How much would we pay for  great, beautiful gold jewelry? We should put the same kind of emotional price tag on other’s critiques of us when they have some truth to them. Too often people are not brave enough to offer any of their insights. They are too afraid of causing conflict or hurt. So if someone is willing to share, it really is valuable and we should value it that way.

Application/Confession: It is, most often, the criticism I get from my wife that I find myself resisting. I need to always value it. She knows me best, loves me and only shares when she feels it will be more helpful than hurtful.

PRAYER: Thank you Lord for those you have place around me to help me to grow. I want to. Help me to value their input so that I will.