“Where there is no [wise, intelligent] guidance, the people fall [and go off course like a ship without a helm], But in the abundance of [wise and godly] counselors there is victory.” (Proverbs 11:14 AMP)
There are moments in life that are unforgettable. Graduation day. Wedding day. Birth of a child. Sitting across from a counsellor, marriage not expected to last beyond month’s end. Of course, a marriage in this state doesn’t get there overnight. Years of arguments, unrecognized and unresolved brokenness and, as we were to learn, years of thinking decisions were ours alone to make. We had prayed about them, discussed them thoroughly with a consensus, however, failed to consult godly counsel with those decisions that would have the greatest impact on the security of our family.
Solomon advises, “For lack of guidance a nation falls, but many advisers make victory sure.” (Proverbs 11:14 NIV). Teams assemble to discuss all angles of a decision in business, government and sport; however, when decisions of a personal nature are required why do we think we can make effective decisions on our own? Prayer is not to be undermined; God has provided an additional measure to ensure a right outcome: godly counsel.
Who are those individuals in your life who you would categorize as “godly counsel?” Those whom you know walk closely with the Lord in lifestyle. Set apart for prayer, camping at the throne of God, eager to know His character through His Word and presence. A life of the godly comes with a cost. They’ve turned their backs on the world and remain true to the precepts of God. Age is of no consequence. God has used those half my age to bring me wisdom twice my years.
On those days, when I pleaded with the Lord to let me end my marriage, my godly counsel directed me otherwise. When my insecurities wanted me to run from what the Lord was redeeming in my life, knowing that my decision would have to pass through my godly counsel forced me to stay and deal with my flesh.
Godly counsel is not a magic pill. God’s ways are not easy and most often not instant. More than two years later, He is building a new life for me that is stable, peaceful and good. That includes my marriage. I am convinced that without godly counsel the final story would read very differently. In fact, there’d be nothing worthy of words.
“Father, how we need You; how we need each other! May we recognize our need for godly counsel, seek out those worthy of the title and be brave enough to ask for their wisdom to help us walk a path that glorifies Your character.”
For His Glory
Kathryn Hayman
TRBC Women’s Life
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