As amazing as this world is, filled with God’s magnificent creation and splendor, it can still feel empty. One moment, we might be captivated with a sunset, a mountainscape, or the sound of a sea shore. Another moment we might feel unloved, lonely, or afraid. It takes more than whatever we find here to fulfill us, so we continue to find ourselves experiencing discontentment, longingness, and strife. Yes, there are many distractions and diversions, so maybe we don’t always feel these things. There is much to enjoy here, but we might also discover that between the moments of happiness or pleasure, a variety of other experiences and emotions lurk, which stick with us more deeply than the feelings and emotions we so often chase.

We might say that there are two approaches to easing our pain and desires. One way is by seeking the ways of the world, and the other is to seek God’s way. We could jump to the conclusion that one way is better than the other, but let’s look at what each has to offer, so we can make an informed decision. You might have guessed that we’ll be biased in this article, and you’d be right. My hope is that you will find this bias healthy and reasonable.

Our goal at One Day Wiser is to point ourselves toward wise living. A major principle we operate from is that “the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom” Proverbs 9:10. There’s another phrase in that verse, which we often omit. It says, “and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding”. This is essential to keep in mind as we grow through our spiritual journey, over the course of our lives on this earth. Wisdom and knowledge belong together, and if separated they lose their powerful essence. Even very smart or brilliant people can do foolish things, because being smart does not guarantee we’re wise. Similarly, we don’t have to be sophisticated or highly educated to be wise, we just need to be willing to acknowledge and follow wisdom as we find it. The wisdom of this world is different from God’s wisdom, so it’s important to understand this and respond accordingly. Let’s look at a little knowledge of a worldly promise and a biblical one, and consider what wisdom we might gather from them.