What Could Go Wrong?

In review of Proverbs 22:3 it says, “A prudent man foresees the difficulties ahead and prepares for them; the simpleton goes blindly on and suffers the consequences” (TLB).

Today’s verse comes from Proverbs 22:3. In it I’m told that a prudent person will foresee danger and takes precautions. While a simpleton will just go on blindly and then end up suffering the consequences.

This means that when I see trouble coming, it makes more sense to be smart and either hide from it or take precautions to deal with it, versus just walking right into it.

My life will have good and have problems, therefore it would be smart for me to expect the best but to prepare for the worst. Solomon expressed this idea in the Bible: “A prudent man foresees the difficulties ahead and prepares for them; the simpleton goes blindly on and suffers the consequences” (Proverbs 22:3 TLB). What he’s telling me is that the wise person recognizes there’s going to be problems in any decision and prepares for them.

Even the Bible knows about Murphy’s Law: If anything can go wrong, it will. I can’t ignore problems, because they’re not going to ignore me! Problems are inevitable. They are a part of life. The wise person doesn’t deny their inevitability. A wise person prepares for them by asking, “What could go wrong? And what will happen if it does?”

I don’t need to have all of my doubts resolved. I don’t have to have all of the problems figured out or solve them before I make a decision. But to be wise, I must make a decision in faith, knowing that problems will come, doing my best to plan for them, and then trusting God to give me what I need to confront them.

Bottom Line:

When you see trouble coming, don’t be stupid and walk right into it, be smart and either hide or put together a plan.

What this means to me:

It would be sensible that when I see trouble coming and to avoid it or take some precautions. This is better than not thinking clearly and walking right into it, only to regret it later.

In summary, it would be prudent for me to foresee danger and take precautions, vs. just going on blindly and then suffering the consequences. To be wise, I must make a decision in faith, knowing that problems will come, then doing my best to plan for them, trusting God to give me what I need in order to confront them.

It can be paralyzing to feel like I need to solve every problem before I make a decision, or to not take the time to think through it, even procrastinate. It's like trying to have the perfect life without problems. However this can lead me to make no decision at all which ultimately results in suffering the consequences that are inevitable. What I need to do is to have faith to think through, get advice and make an intelligent decision, where I can minimize any downfall or trust that God will teach and train me through the situation. This morning Father I ask you to help bring to light situations where I'm not thinking clearly through what's ahead. Help me to put together the best plans possible and not just let them spring upon me. I also pray this morning Father for your wisdom and guidance in handling my work load. Help me to lead and how to interact rightly with others. These things I pray in your Son Jesus name, amen!