We have all made some quick decisions that turned out quite well. On the other hand, if you are like me, it’s the quick decisions that have most often required my repentance.

We have all received a hasty text from a friend that hit us the wrong way. We have all sent a text like that as well. We can communicate so rapidly these days that often our choice of words is not a thoughtful choice. We can even hit “send” only to realize our words went to the wrong person. Texting and emailing have made our lives much easier, but it is important to slow down long enough to consider how our hastily written words might impact the reader.

If we are diligent, we cannot be hasty. Diligence means steady, earnest, and devoted to working carefully with great effort. Christians have a lot of influence that depends on our lives and words. We should be diligent about our choices, careful to give the time needed to think things through.

The wisdom of Proverbs 21:5 teaches us that we should be diligent with our plans. In other words, we are to work through our plans carefully considering God’s will in all the possibilities. If we are diligent with our choices, they will likely lead to an abundance of God’s blessings.

The proverb goes on to warn that those who are hasty come to poverty, having to do without. Wisdom teaches that it is the thoughtful person who makes fewer mistakes, hurts fewer people, and gains greater reward. 

Wisdom isn’t gained in a day; it is the result of carefully, diligently working to live thoughtful lives. It takes time to think. It takes time to be diligent. Good advice and careful instruction provide wisdom. God’s word teaches us to slow down and live diligently. Therein lies an abundance of God’s blessings.