‘Wisdom is found in those who take advice.’
Proverbs 13:10 NIV
‘Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed.’Proverbs 15:22 NIV
Advises-To win in life, you must become a lifelong learner. And learning requires submission; a quality of character we sometimes think doesn’t apply to us. We think submission is ‘just for those other people who need to be led’. This is particularly true in our early years when we’re sure that we know it all and use every opportunity to prove it. Reaching for a good adviser requires humility of heart. The truth is, if you’re not teachable, your future is already decided!
The more you think you know, the less likely you are to place yourself under the influence of those who really know and can help you. This is especially true when you view yourself as more capable, passionate, and talented than others around you. The wise always seek counsel. If you’re wise, you will acknowledge your limitations; only a fool believes he or she has none. Only the naive are foolish enough to operate under the assumption that they can make all the right calls without good input. But they can’t.
Here are three Scriptures from the book of Proverbs you need to stop and consider today: 1) ‘The way of fools seems right to them, but the wise listen to advice’ (Proverbs 12:15 NIV). 2) ‘Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed’ (Proverbs 15:22 NIV). 3) ‘Listen to advice and accept discipline, and at the end you will be counted among the wise’ (Proverbs 19:20 NIV). It’s not just what your adviser knows, it’s what they see that makes them valuable to you. They are extra eyes and ears. Why would you want to live without them
A good adviser does three things: they observe you, instruct you, and motivate you. At first, the thought of having someone evaluate you may be intimidating. But think about it; people are watching you anyway, so why not have a good adviser among the crowd?
Here is a list of some areas in which you might consider inviting an adviser to evaluate you. These things are not options, they’re essentials: spiritual development, personal discipline, family relationships, decision making, handling finance, conflict resolution, picking the right people, breaking bad habits and establishing good ones, goal setting and planning for the future.
If you’re serious about succeeding, look for an environment where you will be mentored, not just paid. Initially, what you learn is more important than what you earn, because what you learn early determines what you earn later. What you don’t know can hurt you and put a lid on your potential. Opening doors of evaluation is something you owe to yourself and those who depend on you. And don’t let it stop with you. Pass on what you’ve been given to somebody else. Jesus said, ‘Freely ye have received, freely give’ (Matthew 10:8 KJV).
‘But I’m too young, nobody is going to take me seriously,’ you say. Paul told Timothy, ‘Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example’ (1 Timothy 4:12 NIV). You’re not responsible for knowing everything; you’re just responsible for sharing what you know with others. As you pour into them what God and others have poured into you, they will go further and faster too. So ask God for a good adviser and become one to somebody else.
