When we face pain, our first impulse is often to ask God for relief. When we struggle financially, we ask for money. When we feel lonely, we ask for love. These are all natural and honest prayers. God cares about each one of those needs, but there is something deeper we can ask first: WISDOM.

When Solomon became king, he could have asked God for riches, long life, or victory over enemies. Instead, he asked for wisdom to govern well. God was so pleased with his request that He gave Solomon not only wisdom but also blessings he had not asked for. God gave him more!

Wisdom is what allows us to receive God’s blessings and use them well:

IN PAIN: wisdom teaches us how to endure, when to seek treatment, and how to lean on God’s strength.

IN FINANCIAL NEED: wisdom helps us steward resources, recognize opportunities, and avoid investment mistakes.

IN LONELINESS: wisdom leads us to God’s Word for comfort, and guides us toward healthy, lifelong relationships.

Without wisdom, we could have health but not know how to care for it, we could have wealth but still live in bondage, we could have love but misuse it or lose it. With wisdom, we can have the answers to overcome whatever comes our way.

So when you pray, remember: wisdom should be the first request, because God is the provider of wisdom, and He can help us with anything we may need.

Be wise! Ask, and you shall receive ❤️

“If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.”

-James 1:5

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